Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka’s highly anticipated clash at the 2024 China Open faced a premature halt as the Japanese player had to retire due to an injury. Gauff expressed her disappointment over the match’s early conclusion and wished her opponent a speedy recovery.
Gauff and Osaka faced off in the fourth round of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing on Tuesday, October 1, which was their fifth clash on the tour. Osaka was vying to earn her fourth consecutive win for the first time since returning from maternity leave while Gauff was in a bid to reach her first quarterfinal since June.Both competitors exchanged early service breaks but it was the Japanese who comfortably won the opening set 6-3 due to Gauff’s more error-prone play. The 20-year-old American started the second set on a strong note, quickly gaining a 2-0 lead. As the set advanced, however, Osaka appeared to be struggling with some discomfort. Gauff managed to take the set 6-4 before Osaka retired due to injury.
The 26-year-old briefly conversed with her opponent after confirming her retirement and in a moment of sportsmanship, Gauff helped Osaka by carrying her kit off the court. Upon advancing to the quarterfinal, Gauff stated in a post-match interview that this was not how anyone would want to win a match.
“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 at 1 set all. Overall I tried my best. It wasn’t my best tennis. It was one of those matches where you try your best each point,” Coco Gauff said.
Gauff will take on Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinal of the China Open.
“I just told Naomi Osaka she should be proud of herself” – Coco Gauff after her China Open 2024 4R clash against the Japanese player
During her post-match interview, Coco Gauff sang praises for her opponent Naomi Osaka. The American told her to be proud of herself and how far she has come. She also hopes Osaka will be fine soon.
Gauff was quoted as saying:
“I just told her she should be proud of herself. It’s not easy. I think this is her first time winning three matches in a tournament [for a while]. So physically, you can do all the running you want but match-fit is different. Hopefully, she’ll be fine. I think she’s signed up for Wuhan.”
The World No. 73 has entered the qualifying rounds of the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan. It remains to be seen if she is fit to participate in the event.Meanwhile, Gauff is set to face Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarterfinals of the China Open, marking her second consecutive quarterfinal appearance at the event. Last year, she advanced to the semifinals and faced defeat against eventual champion Iga Swiatek.