Naomi Osaka was knocked out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Thursday, losing 6-3, 7-5 to Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova in the round of 16. The defeat came in front of Osaka’s home crowd and followed her first-round win over Jasmine Paolini.
Pohankova, who turned 18 last week, entered the tournament as a wildcard. The 2025 Wimbledon junior singles champion will face Alycia Parks in the quarterfinals.
In another round-of-16 match, top-ranked Elena Rybakina beat Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3, securing the year-end No. 1 ranking. Rybakina won the Australian Open and US Open this season, as well as titles in Stuttgart and Ningbo. She said the ranking was “an incredibly special moment” and that she was proud of her achievements and consistency.
Rybakina will receive a trophy recognizing the year-end honor at a special presentation during the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, scheduled for Nov. 8-15. She is one French Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam.
Leylah Fernandez also advanced, defeating No. 14 Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6 (8). Second-seeded Maja Chwalinska and No. 4 Belinda Bencic withdrew earlier because of injuries to Chwalinska’s left thigh and Bencic’s right ankle, respectively.
Sources: ESPN Tennis.