Belinda Bencic (WTA 294) took advantage of the abandonment of Naomi Osaka (WTA 51) to reach the round of 16 of the Australian Open. The Japanese threw in the towel after losing the first set of this 3rd round in the tie-break.
Naomi Osaka decided to throw in the towel a few seconds after losing the first set 7-6 (7/3). The Japanese, who had served to win this first set at 5-3, once again suffered from abdominal pain. This injury had already forced her to retire in the final of the Auckland tournament last Saturday.
Belinda Bencic, who showed – just like her opponent – an excellent level of play in the first set, will therefore approach her round of 16 with her energy reserve intact. The 2021 Olympic champion will face either the American Coco Gauff (WTA 3) or the Canadian left-hander Leylah Fernandez (WTA 29) on Sunday.
This place in the 4th round will allow Belinda Bencic to gain at least 140 places in the hierarchy. The St. Galloise, who took advantage of her protected ranking to enter the main draw of this Australian Open, will find herself around 115th in the world if she advances to the quarterfinals.
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