CINCINNATI – Newly crowned WTA Montreal champion Victoria Mboko and runner-up Naomi Osaka have officially withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open, tournament organizers confirmed Friday, a day after both hinted at the decision following their Canadian final.
Mboko, the 18-year-old Canadian who captured her first WTA title with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Osaka, cited a wrist injury sustained in the semi-finals. She revealed that swelling on Thursday morning prompted an MRI and X-ray before the final, which showed no serious damage. “I just want to take care of my wrist a little bit right now,” she said, noting the quick turnaround made it impractical to compete in Cincinnati.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, attributed her withdrawal to a “schedule change.” On Thursday, she had been noncommittal about playing, saying she was “teeter-tottering” on the decision.
Both players had been granted second-round byes in Cincinnati due to their Montreal performances. Their withdrawals opened spots for four lucky losers from qualifying to enter the main draw of the last major event before the US Open begins on August 25.
