Miami Open: Naomi Osaka progresses after injured Karolina Muchova pulls out
Former World No 1 Naomi Osaka received a walkover at the Miami Open after her third round opponent Karolina Muchova was forced to withdraw.
Muchova could not compete in the match due to a left abdominal injury on Saturday.
Muchova and Osaka had been slated to play for the third time in their careers, after splitting the first two meetings.
As a result of the walkover, Osaka is into the fourth round in Miami for the second year running.
In 2021, Osaka reached the quarterfinals in her best-ever tournament result as the event played out in an unusual fall slot.
Muchova defeated reigning US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the previous round but she aggravated an injury in the process.
The Japanese star will face either Ann Li or Alison Riske, both of the United States, next.
Four-time Grand Slam singles winner Osaka has made a successful start to her campaign in Miami, which followed a tearful exit at Indian Wells earlier this month.
The 24-year-old eliminated 13th seed Angelique Kerber in the second round on Thursday.
Lucky loser Lucia Bronzetti of Italy also moved through to the Round of 16 via a walkover as Anna Kalinskaya joined the walking wounded with a left arm injury.
Bronzetti will next face wildcard Daria Saville of Australia.
In a curious twist Saville also had her passage through to the last 16 eased, as Katerina Siniakova retired from their clash after losing the first seven games.
The former Top 20-ranked Australian, making a WTA Tour comeback following Achilles surgery, and also reached the fourth round in Indian Wells as a qualifier.
Meanwhile Bronzetti, ranked World No.102, is in the midst of something of a breakthrough as she goes on a tear in her first WTA 1000 main draw.
The women’s draw has lost 18 seeds before the second round but former No 1 Naomi Osaka and newly crowned rankings queen Iga Swiatek look strong contenders for the WTA 1000 crown
Swiatek has not lost in a WTA 1000 level event this season, having claimed the Qatar Open and Indian Wells Masters titles.
Latest
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner confession during Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer rivalry comparison
“I hope it will allow me to get the best out of myself … seeing the standard he sets.”
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic 3.0: Tennis great’s latest re-invention already underway with ruthless coaching move
The innovation doesn’t stop with Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic announces shock departure of long-term coach – ‘Thanks for everything my friend’
Did anyone see that Novak Djokovic coaching bombshell coming?
-
ATP Tour
Expert reveals how long Andy Murray could be sidelined if he requires surgery after ‘devastating’ injury
“The decision will be made to potentially treat it with non-surgery but that’s unlikely I think.”
-
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz has bad news for his rivals with latest remarks as he also gives insight into aggressive tactics
Carlos Alcaraz is “feeling great on the court” again, which should be a concern for his rivals.
-
WTA Tour
Victoria Azarenka reveals how Novak Djokovic is inspiring her to reach for more
How world No 1 Novak Djokovic is inspiring Victoria Azarenka to reach for more.
-
ATP Tour
Jannik Sinner can’t control his laughter as he hits his physio in a ‘really important’ spot
Physio Giacomo Naldi was in Jannik Sinner’s line of fire at the Miami Open.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray faces agonising waiting game after ankle injury nightmare
Andy Murray waiting to hear whether he still has a chance to end his career at Wimbledon this summer.
-
ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev admits it ‘didn’t smell good’ as he mounts amazing Miami comeback
Daniil Medvedev bounced back from a desperate position in the first set tie-break to beat Dominik Koepfer.
-
Tennis News
Final moments of the Novak Djokovic era of dominance were hard to identify
Novak Djokovic’s reign as the king of men’s tennis appeared to be set to run and run – but the mood has changed.