Coco Gauff left in tears after first meeting with Naomi Osaka who made bold prediction for latest chapter in rivalry

Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka continued their very friendly rivalry at the China Open.

The WTA stars went head-to-head in their last-16 clash, with Osaka sadly being forced to withdraw with a back injury while winning 6-3 4-3.

Prior to the match, Osaka was on a nine-match winning run in Beijing, while Gauff is yet to drop a set after seemingly putting this year’s inconsistent form behind her.

This was a much-anticipated fifth meeting between two of the WTA Tour’s biggest stars – and a first since 2022 – and Gauff had just levelled at one-set all when Osaka, who received medical treatment early in the contest, shook hands.

Their rivalry could continue for years to come, though, and the first time they met in 2019 set the tone for what may go down as a historic back and forth.

Gauff burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old, stunning Venus Williams in the first round at Wimbledon – her first ever Grand Slam match – and making it all the way to the last 16 before losing to Simona Halep.

She then won two three-set thrillers on home soil at the US Open to set up a blockbuster clash with defending champion Osaka – herself only 21 years old at the time, but also a two-time major champion.

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The 24,000-strong crowd was desperate for Gauff to upset the world No. 1, but Osaka took just 66 minutes to triumph 6-3, 6-0.

It was all too much for the teenage sensation, who was pictured in floods of tears as Osaka tried to console her.

“I was crying. She was crying. Everybody was crying,’’ Gauff said.

“She was crying and she won. I was like, ‘You won the match.’”

Even after a comprehensive victory, Osaka knew she had seen something special on the opposite side of the net.

“Because we’re so young, I feel of course we’re going to play multiple times in the future,” the four-time Grand Slam champ said.

“I’m not necessarily looking forward to that. But it will be fun for you guys to watch.’’