India, Oct. 18 -- Naomi Osaka pulled out of her quarterfinal match at the Japan Open on Friday because of a left leg injury. Her withdrawal ahead of the match resulted in Jaqueline Cristian advancing to the semifinals on a walkover, the WTA Tour said. Tournament organizers said top-seeded Osaka hadn't recovered from the injury sustained late in her second-round match. It will be Cristian's third semifinal appearance of the year and her first on a surface other than clay.

Before the injury, Osaka had wins over Wakana Sonobe and 2024 champion Suzan Lamens. After splitting the first two sets with Lamens, Osaka took a 5-0 lead in the third. But during a rally with Lamens serving at 0-5 and 30-15, Osaka pulled up with an apparent issue with h...