Naomi Osaka battled through a leg injury to earn her spot in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open, overcoming the reigning champion Suzan Lamens. Despite the physical challenge, Osaka’s determination shone through in a hard-fought victory.
Returning to compete on home soil for the first time in three years, the four-time Grand Slam winner is looking to capitalize on her momentum following a strong performance at the US Open.
During the decisive final set, Osaka held a commanding 5-0 lead when she paused the match to receive medical attention for her left leg.
After coming back onto the court with her thigh heavily bandaged, she dropped two games but ultimately sealed the win after a grueling 2-hour and 20-minute battle.
Following a backhand winner, Osaka showed visible emotion, briefly covering her face as she made her way to the net, reflecting the intensity of the moment.
“It was definitely a tough match. I feel a bit regretful about how I handled things,” Osaka admitted during a brief on-court interview that was cut short due to her injury.
At 27, Osaka is making her first tournament appearance since reaching the semifinals at the US Open, where she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova. Notably, she has not progressed beyond the second week of a major event since her second Australian Open title in 2021.
