OSAKA, Japan — Naomi Osaka withdrew from her Japan Open quarterfinal match Friday due to a left foot injury.
According to the WTA Tour, Jacqueline Cristian advanced to the semifinals by default due to her withdrawal before the match.
Tournament organizers said top-seeded Osaka had not yet recovered from the injury she sustained late in the second round. This is Cristian’s third semi-final appearance this year, and his first on a surface other than clay.
Before her injury, Osaka had wins over Wakana Sonobe and 2024 champion Susan Lemens.
After splitting the first two sets with Rahmens, Osaka took a 5-0 lead in the third set. However, during a rally with the Lemens, Osaka pitted with apparent problems with her left foot. She won the point after Lamens sent a backhand wide, but called for a medical timeout after the next point.
Osaka, a four-time major champion, returned to the court with limited movement due to an injury to her left thigh, but was able to shut out the match on her third match point.
Osaka lost in the second round of the China Open in late September, and also lost in the second round of the Wuhan Open last week.
In Friday’s other quarterfinal of the Japan Open, 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leila Fernandez defeated Rebecca Schramkova 7-6(2), 6-3.
