- Four-time grand slam winner benefits from Tsurenko injury
- Karolina Pliskova awaits in last eight in Doha
It has taken patience and perspective after her tentative first steps back into the brutal world of professional tennis, but Naomi Osaka’s comeback is beginning to pick up steam as she reached her first quarter-final in nearly two years, at the Qatar Open.
On Wednesday, Osaka had been due to face Lesia Tsurenko in their third round match but the Ukrainian withdrew with an elbow injury. The walkover had been preceded by two strong victories for Osaka at the WTA 1000 event. She played an excellent opening match to avenge her Australian Open first-round loss to Caroline Garcia, the 15th seed in Doha, winning 7-5, 6-4.