Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the Japan Open before Friday’s quarter-final because of a leg injury sustained in the second round.<\/p>\n
The former world number one held back tears and needed painkillers to come through a three-set last-16 win over defending champion Suzan Lamens on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Top seed Osaka, who completed the match with strapping on her left thigh, was due to face Jaqueline Cristian in the last eight but the Romanian will instead progress to the semi-finals. <\/p>\n
The Japan Open made the announcement on X, saying: “We regret to announce that Naomi Osaka has not recovered from a left leg injury sustained during the second round of this tournament and has withdrawn from the quarter-finals scheduled for today.” <\/p>\n
It is not yet known whether Osaka will play in the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo later this month.<\/p>\n
The four-time Grand Slam champion is the latest high-profile player to suffer late-season injury issues.<\/p>\n
In September, Iga Swiatek complained the season is “too long and too intense”<\/a> following a string of injuries among players at the China Open.<\/p>\n