Osaka Vows to Return Stronger After Tokyo Exit
- On Thursday in Tokyo, 18-year-old wildcard Mia Pohankova upset seventh-seeded Naomi Osaka 6-3, 7-5 at the Pan Pacific Open. "I think this is like a dream," Pohankova said after the match.
- Pohankova, the 2025 Wimbledon junior singles champion, entered as a wildcard while Osaka arrived in the second round after defeating Jasmine Paolini. The teenager's pedigree positioned her as a credible threat despite the seeding disparity.
- The match lasted 1 hour, 35 minutes, with Osaka playing to deuce in three of Pohankova's service games but unable to convert. Pohankova clinched victory when Osaka's forehand went long on match point.
- Advancing to the quarterfinals, Pohankova will face Alycia Parks, who secured her spot by defeating Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday. The upset reshapes the tournament bracket.
- Elsewhere at the Pan Pacific Open, Leylah Fernandez advanced while top-ranked Elena Rybakina faced Yulina Putintseva in a late match. Belinda Bencic withdrew earlier due to injury complications.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Osaka vows to return stronger after Tokyo exit
The four-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-3, 7-5 to Slovakian 18-year-old Mia Pohankova, ranked 144 in the world, at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Osaka has not won a title this year and has not reached a Grand Slam final since she returned to tennis after a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter Shai in 2023. The 29-year-old, now ranked 18 in the world, said she was "at peace" with herself and feeling good about her game. "Obviously…
Naomi Osaka knocked out in Japan by 18-year-old Mia Pohankova of Slovakia
TOKYO: Naomi Osaka, seeded No. 7 and playing before home fans in Japan, was knocked out of the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday by Mia Pohankova of Slovakia.Pohankova, who turned 18 a week ago and was a wildcard entry in Japan, upset Osaka 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals after a match that lasted 1 hour, 35 minutes.Pohankova will face Alycia Parks in the quarterfinals. Pohankova was the 2025 junior singles champion at Wimbledon.Osaka was co…
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