Bencic took the first set in a tiebreak 7-6(3) before Japan's Osaka, who had also pulled out of the Auckland final earlier this month due to an abdominal injury, withdrew from the contest.

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the opening set of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic on Friday.

Osaka began 2025 by making it to the final of a tournament at Auckland, New Zealand, on Jan. 5, but she stopped playing in the title match there because of the abdominal injury. Then, she said ...

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 17: Naomi Osaka of Japan walks off the court after retiring with injury from playing against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in the third round on Day 6 of the 2025 ...

Bencic took the first set in a tiebreak 7-6(3) before Japan's Osaka, who had also pulled out of the Auckland final earlier this month due to an abdominal injury, withdrew from the contest.

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The ...

MELBOURNE, Australia — Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka stopped playing because of an injury after dropping the opening set of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic on Friday.