WASHINGTON – Emma Radukanu dominated her first career matchup with Naomi Osaka, winning the showdown at the DC Open between the past Open Champions 6-4, 6-2 at the DC Open on Thursday.
The only qualifier to win the Grand Slam title when she did it in New York in 2021, Radkanu saved the two breakpoints she faced and managed to break the massive Osaka three times.
Osaka was hurt after a double fault in the seventh inning. She won the US Open and the Australian Open twice, respectively.
Ranked 46th, Radkanu will face Maria Saccari in the quarter-finals. Sakkari eliminated No. 2 seed Emma Navarro on Wednesday.
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, returned to tour at age 45, was scheduled to face Magdalena Frech in the evening.
Winners for Thursday’s men’s action at the Hard Court Tournament in Washington included eighth seed Danil Medvedev and 14th seed Brandon Nakashima.
