In a heartfelt moment at the China Open, Coco Gauff came to the aid of Naomi Osaka after the former World No. 1 had to retire from their quarter-final match due to a back injury. Gauff had just leveled the match at one set each when Osaka decided to withdraw.
Match Highlights
Gauff expressed her disappointment, stating, “It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this, especially when it’s one set all.” This meeting marked the first time Gauff faced Osaka since their previous encounters in 2022.
Osaka’s Performance
During the match, Osaka appeared to be in control, breaking Gauff to lead 6-3, 4-3. However, Gauff rallied back to equalize before Osaka’s unexpected retirement. Gauff acknowledged, “Overall I tried my best. It wasn’t my best tennis.”
Looking Ahead
Coco Gauff, now advancing to the next round of the tournament, will face Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva after her impressive win against the 10th seed Anna Kalinskaya. Gauff’s sportsmanship in helping Osaka off the court has been widely praised, showcasing the camaraderie among players.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how Coco Gauff continues to perform in the China Open.