Ninth seed Emma Raducanu, champion of New York last year, was upset 7-6 (0) and 6-2 by Camila Giorgi of Italy, 29th in the world in the first round at the Bank Open National, Tuesday.
Giorgi’s next rival will be WTA #37 Elise Mertens of Belgium, who defeated Anna Bondar 7-6(2), 6-1.
Osaka drops out due to back pain
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka retired in her opener due to back pain, raising concerns as the US Open approaches.
Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi led 7-6(4), 3-0 when the four-time Grand Slam winner retired. Kanepi, a finalist last week in the Washington hard court tournament, broke the Japanese star three times in 71 minutes on the court.
“I had back pain from the start of the match and despite my efforts to overcome it, I couldn’t manage it,” said Osaka, in tears. I would like to salute Kaia for her good game and wish her the best for the rest of the tournament”.
Osaka has played just six games, going 2-4, since losing in the WTA 1000 finals in Miami in early April to world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
The US Open, which Osaka won in 2018 and 2020, is due to take place from August 29 to September 11.
Kanepi, 37, had won their only previous encounter in three sets, five years ago at the US Open.
Sakkari defeats Stephens
In the final singles match of the day, third seed Maria Sakkari defeated Sloane Stephens 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
Elsewhere, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic edged Tereza Martincova 6-4, 6-2 to make a date with Serena Williams, while 10th seed Coco Gauff beat fellow American 6-1, 6-3.
Alja Tomljanovic got the better of Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(3).
