Back injury forces Osaka out of China Open as Gauff helps rival off court

Gauff helped carry Osaka's bags off the court and then said: "It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this, especially one-set all."

TOUGH BLOW: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts during play against Coco Gauff of the United States in a women's singles match for the China Open tennis tournament held at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Pic: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

Coco Gauff reached the quarter-finals of the China Open after Naomi Osaka retired with a back injury in Beijing.

This was a much-anticipated fifth meeting between two of the WTA Tour's biggest stars - and a first since 2022 - and Gauff had just levelled at one-set all when Osaka, who received medical treatment early in the contest, shook hands.