Naomi Osaka ended a rather adventurous week by conceded a walk over to Vika Azarenka in the Western & Southern Open final.
The Japanese sensation hit hard the headlines when she announced her refusal to compete in the semifinal on Thursday in order to protest against the widespread racism in the US. That prompted the tours to postpone the final-4s of one day. However, after beating Elise Mertens, Naomi was not fit to play the final against an in-form Azarenka because of a hamstring issue.
About the hamstring injury
After the match, Naomi explained:
“I’m sorry to have to withdraw today with an injury. I pulled my left hamstring yesterday in the second set tiebreak and it has not recovered overnight as I had hoped.”
Naomi Osaka in 2020
Ranked no.10, the Japanese was supposed to play on the 29th of August. However, she wasn’t able to play to concede a walk over to Victoria Azarenka in the final in New York.
Naomi Osaka’s latest run in New York was the best achievement of her season.
Victoria Azarenka in 2020
Currently ranked no.59, Victoria was granted a walk over on the 29th of August by Naomi Oaska in the final in New York to win her 20th career title.
This year Victoria has a 5-2 win-loss record. The Belarussian clinched 1 title in New York.
Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Osaka. The last time that they squared off, Naomi Osaka won 4-6 7-5 6-3 in the 2nd round in Paris (French Open) in May 2019.
