Mason, Ohio – Canadian open finalist Victoria Mboko and Osaka’s Naomi have withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open.
It was announced that he will no longer play in the tournament on Friday after playing in the finals at Montreal on Thursday night. Mboko, an 18-year-old Canadian, won the first WTA title of her career at a 1000-level event in front of a crowd of engrossed homes, citing an injury to her left wrist for her decision. Osaka, who played in its first 1000-level final since 2022, was listed as having a “change of schedule,” according to the Cincinnati Open.
After a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Osaka on Thursday, Mboko revealed that he suffered an MRI earlier in the day after suffering a wrist injury during the semi-final match. Mboko told reporters that he’s unlikely to play for Cincinnati as a precautionary measure.
“I just want to take care of my wrists right now. I think it’s very close and sudden to go there and play again. “I think I’ll just sit there and prepare for the upcoming tournament.”
The Cincinnati Open, Mboko and Osaka received performance bail in the second round after reaching the Canadian Open Finals. The newly expanded format of the 1000-level tournament and the overlap between the two events meant that both had to play their first round match in Cincinnati on Friday.
However, absent from the tournament added two first-round matches to their Friday schedule in Cincinnati. Cristina Bucsa and Yuan Yue replace Mboko and her performance-by with a draw, and the winner of their match will face No. 14 seed Diana Shnaider in the second round. Solana Sierra and Iva Jovic take over Osaka, and the winner of their clash will then challenge No. 20 seed Linda Noscova.
Mboko and Osaka were not admitted to the Cincinnati Open, which began on Thursday, but following their strong performances in Montreal, they are both expected to be seeded in the upcoming US Open. Ranked outside the top 300 at the beginning of the year, Mboko is currently ranked at a career-high 24th place. Currently, Osaka is 25th and has been showing her best show since returning from maternity leave at the beginning of the 2024 season.
