Naomi Osaka retired midmatch due to injury during her third-round Australian Open clash against Belinda Bencic, conceding the first set 7-6 (3) before withdrawing from the match on Friday in Melbourne, Australia. The specific injury was undisclosed, but Osaka sought assistance from a trainer for her abdominal region late in the opening set, reminiscent of her earlier withdrawal from the Auckland, New Zealand, final due to an abdominal issue. This unfortunate exit mirrored her previous tournament experience in Beijing at the end of 2024 when she halted play during the fourth round.
Since returning to competitive tennis following a hiatus to address her mental health challenges and to welcome her daughter in 2023, the 27-year-old Japanese tennis sensation and four-time Grand Slam champion has faced difficulties on the court. Osaka’s struggles culminated in her departure from the Australian Open, eliciting support from fellow player Belinda Bencic, who left a heartfelt message on a television camera, wishing Osaka a swift recovery.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus continued her dominance, extending her winning streak in the Australian Open women’s singles competition. Sabalenka secured her 17th consecutive victory by defeating Clara Tauson of Denmark in a hard-fought encounter lasting 2 hours and 6 minutes. Notably, the last woman to achieve a longer winning streak in the Australian Open was Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who claimed 18 consecutive wins between 2012 and 2014, clinching the title in the first two of those years.
Sabalenka showcased superior shot-making skills, recording more winners and fewer unforced errors compared to Tauson in a match characterized by numerous service breaks, including the first seven games. Despite facing four set points at 5-6 in the opening set, Sabalenka ultimately triumphed in a tiebreaker. Tauson displayed resilience by battling back from an early second-set deficit to level the score at 4-4 before Sabalenka secured the final two games, solidifying her victory.
Following a day filled with thrilling matches, Donna Vekic of Croatia outlasted Diana Shnaider of Russia in a grueling encounter, while Paula Badosa of Spain overcame Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in three sets. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia delivered a commanding performance against Laura Siegemund of Germany, securing a convincing victory.
The upcoming matches featured a highly anticipated showdown between Jessica Pegula of the United States and Olga Danilovic of Serbia, alongside a clash between Coco Gauff of the United States and Leylah Fernandez of Canada. The winner of the Gauff-Fernandez encounter would advance to face Belinda Bencic in the subsequent round, promising an exciting continuation of the Australian Open action.
As the tournament progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the outcome of these thrilling matchups, showcasing the resilience, skill, and determination of the world’s top tennis stars on
