Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from her Gippsland Trophy semi-final in Melbourne. Due to a minor injury, the Japanese does not want to take any risks with a view to the Australian Open, which starts on Monday.
“Sorry to the fans, but I have a gnawing injury and I have to be careful in view of the Australian Open. I look forward to playing games again next week,” said Osaka.
That ensures that Elise Mertens progresses to the final. Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019, will face Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round in Melbourne.
