Coco Gauff edges past ailing Naomi Osaka at 2024 China Open

Osaka made an excellent start but was unable to convert a set and break advantage, opting to retire from the match tied at one set apiece due to a back injury in Beijing.

Coco Gauff held off an ailing Naomi Osaka under the lights at the 2024 China Open, winning a hard-fought second set before the former world No. 1 was forced to retire with the score tied, 3-6, 6-4.

In her first tournament since linking up with new coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Osaka was looking to score the biggest win of her comeback from maternity leave, but looked under the weather early and despite taking a set and break advantage, Gauff proved too strong and Osaka was forced to retire following the second set on Diamond Court.

“It was a good match up to this point,” Gauff said after helping to carry Osaka’s bags off court. “I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. Nobody wants to win a match like this, especially at one set all. Overall, I tried my best. It wasn’t my best tennis. I don’t know, it was just one of those matches where you’re trying your best each point.”

Osaka later explained she was suffering from a back injury that occurred before the match began.

“I locked my back up during practice earlier and honestly wasn’t sure if I could even play but I just wanted to try, unfortunately things just got progressively worse during the match,” she shared on social media. “Totally worth it though lol.”

Gauff arrived in China after splitting with Brad Gilbert, the coach with whom she won her first WTA 500, WTA 1000 and Grand Slam titles in Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, and the US Open. But the 20-year-old has struggled with her forehand and her serve, striking 19 double faults to end her Open title defense in the fourth round to fellow American Emma Navarro.

Now working with Matt Daly in addition to Jean-Christophe Faurel, the former No. 2 put on steadier performances in her China Open campaign, defeating Clara Burel and No. 26 seed Katie Boulter to face Osaka, who was in the midst of her own coaching change, for the first time since 2022.

Osaka returned to action after over a year off tour to give birth to daughter Shai with renewed perspective and high ambitions, the four-time Grand Slam champion pinning much of her hopes on the US Open after near misses at the first three major tournaments.

“I’m kind of setting myself up for September,” she said after pushing top-ranked Iga Swiatek within a point of defeat at Roland Garros.