From Injury to Quarterfinals: Coco Gauff Advances at China Open After Naomi Osaka’s Painful Exit Due to Back Injury

Coco Gauff, the world’s number 6 player, secured her spot in the quarterfinals of the China Open for the second consecutive year after her opponent, Naomi Osaka, was forced to retire due to injury. Despite Osaka winning the first set 6-3 and leading in the second set, she couldn’t continue the match due to a lower back injury. The match ended with a score of 3-6, 6-4 in favor of Gauff, after Osaka decided to withdraw.

Osaka’s Injury and Match Progression

The match between Gauff and Osaka was one of the most anticipated encounters at this year’s China Open, with both players showcasing strong performances on hard courts. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, was aiming to secure her first streak of four consecutive wins since returning from maternity leave. The match began with both players serving solidly, but Osaka quickly gained the upper hand with powerful serves and capitalizing on Gauff’s errors.

Osaka took an early 3-1 lead after Gauff committed two unforced errors at the baseline. However, after losing her second break of serve, Osaka called her coach for a brief conversation during the changeover at 3-2. She appeared cautious with her movement in the following games, taking advantage of Gauff’s more error-prone play to secure her third break before serving out the set at 6-3.

In the second set, Gauff grabbed an early advantage by breaking Osaka’s serve and going up 2-0. However, Osaka calmly regained control and leveled the score at 3-3. At 4-3, Osaka capitalized on another double fault by Gauff, but soon after, she double-faulted herself, allowing Gauff to break back and take a 5-4 lead.

As the match intensified, Osaka’s movement began to falter, particularly during her serves. Gauff noticed her opponent’s physical struggles and seized the opportunity to win the second set. Shortly after, Osaka decided to withdraw from the match due to her lower back injury, ending the match with a heartfelt hug and apology to Gauff.

Gauff Surpasses Osaka, Leads Head-to-Head

With this win, Coco Gauff took the lead in her head-to-head record against Naomi Osaka, now standing at 3-2. All five of their previous encounters have taken place on hard courts, with each match filled with drama and intensity. After the match, Gauff commented: “I wasn’t sure if it was her hip or back, but near the end of the match, she could barely jump on her serves. I knew something wasn’t right, but hopefully, it’s not a long-term issue.”

Despite Osaka’s early exit, she showed great resilience in her return to the tour after maternity leave. This was the first time in a while that Osaka won three consecutive matches in a tournament, proving that she still remains a formidable competitor. Gauff offered words of encouragement to Osaka: “I just told her she should be proud of herself. It’s not easy. I think this is the first time she’s won three matches in a tournament [in a while]. You can run anytime you want, but match fitness is different. I hope she’s okay. I think she signed up for Wuhan.”

Looking Ahead to the Quarterfinals and Gauff’s Game Improvements

After advancing to the quarterfinals, Coco Gauff will face Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva for a chance to reach her first semifinal since Berlin. This is a crucial opportunity for Gauff to maintain her impressive form this season. She had previously reached the semifinals at this tournament last year and hopes to replicate that success.

Gauff is playing her first tournament since adding Matt Daly to her coaching team. This addition has brought new perspectives to her game, particularly in improving her serve and baseline aggression. Gauff acknowledged that changing her playing style requires going against her natural instincts, which has led to more errors, but she remains committed to the process.

“I’m not focused on the results at this point in the season,” Gauff shared. “It’s one of those sacrifices you have to make to get better in the long term. I view this tournament as practice, and everything is a bonus.”

Conclusion

Coco Gauff overcame a challenging match against Naomi Osaka at the 2024 China Open to advance to the quarterfinals, while Osaka was forced to withdraw due to injury. Although the victory came as a result of unforeseen circumstances, Gauff demonstrated resilience and smart tactics to capitalize on key moments. With the goal of refining her game and preparing for bigger tournaments ahead, Gauff is entering a critical phase in her career, and her upcoming match against Yuliia Starodubtseva will provide another opportunity for her to shine on the international stage.

Both Gauff and Osaka are remarkable talents in the tennis world, and fans will be eagerly awaiting Osaka’s recovery. Meanwhile, Gauff continues her journey, poised to conquer new heights with confidence and unwavering determination.