Osaka plans indefinite break from tennis after shock US Open exit

Naomi Osaka’s US Open protection led to tears as she suffered a shocking defeat to Leylah Fernandez, earlier than asserting she plans to take an indefinite break from the game.

The defending champion served for the match within the second set, however she capitulated and allowed the 18-year-old to storm to a powerful 5-7 7-6 (7-2) 6-Four on a shocked Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was a shock ending to her first Grand Slam again after withdrawing from the French Open and Wimbledon as a consequence of psychological well being points.

The 23-year-old’s future within the sport should now be doubtful after she stated she is not going to play once more for a “whereas”.

Holding again tears in her post-match press convention, she stated: “That is very onerous to articulate. Principally I really feel like I am form of at this level the place I am making an attempt to determine what I wish to do, and I actually do not know when I will play my subsequent tennis match. Sorry.

“I feel I will take a break from taking part in for some time.

“How do I am going round saying this? I really feel like for me just lately once I win, I do not really feel completely satisfied. I really feel extra like a aid. After which once I lose, I really feel very unhappy. I do not suppose that is regular. I did not actually wish to cry.”

Requested what brought about the defeat, she added: “I do not suppose it was her serve as a result of I have been capable of return fairly effectively in opposition to those who served higher. I do not suppose it is the event as a result of I have been on this scenario earlier than.

“I assume we’re all coping with some stuff, however I do know that I am coping with some stuff.”

It was the largest win of Fernandez, the world No 73’s profession, and one which units up a fourth-round assembly with 2016 champion Angelique Kerber.

The 18-year-old Canadian stated throughout her on-court interview: “I assume I wished to remain on court docket just a little bit longer and I wished to place a present on for everybody right here. An hour was simply not sufficient for me on court docket.

“From the start proper earlier than the match, I knew I used to be capable of win.

“I wasn’t specializing in Naomi, I used to be solely specializing in myself and what I wanted to do.”

Kerber continued her resurgent summer season by seeing off Sloane Stephens 5-7 6-2 6-3.

The German revealed she overcame having to sleep in Flushing Meadows on Wednesday night time as Storm Ida brought about her match to be cancelled late on.

She stated: “I imply we bought cancelled actually late. I believed that we will go straight to the resort. However it was not possible due to the storm and the rain and the whole lot.

“We stayed right here till 3:30, 4am. I used to be making an attempt to get just a little little bit of sleep as a result of I had the match yesterday, similar to a couple of hours later. Yeah, that was my Wednesday night time within the gymnasium.”

Simona Halep battled to victory over Elena Rybakina however final yr’s finalist Victoria Azarenka was overwhelmed by Garbine Muguruza.

Halep’s season has been blighted by accidents, and the Romanian is taking part in with heavy strapping on her proper thigh, however she saved 4 set factors in a exceptional first-set tie-break and completed strongly for a 7-6 (13-11) 4-6 6-Three victory.

Ninth seed Muguruza proved too robust for Azarenka, with the Spaniard prevailing 6-Four 3-6 6-2 to arrange one other blockbuster conflict in opposition to French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.

A day after cheering on husband Gael Monfils to a second-round win, fifth seed Elina Svitolina made it by means of to spherical 4 with a 6-Four 6-2 victory over Daria Kasatkina and in a match that completed after 1am, second seed Aryna Sabalenka beat American Danielle Collins 6-Three 6-3.