Former world number one Naomi Osaka saw her tennis season come to an end following a disappointing second-round defeat at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The four-time Grand Slam champion fell 6-3, 7-5 to 18-year-old Slovakian player Mia Pohankova, currently ranked 144th in the world. Observers note that Osaka has failed to secure a single title this year and has struggled to reach a Grand Slam final since returning to professional competition following a 15-month maternity break.

Despite the early exit, Osaka purportedly remains at peace with her current standing and expressed satisfaction with her overall gameplay. She allegedly stated that contending for major titles remains her primary mindset, and she intends to keep attempting to reclaim her elite form. True to her reputation, the tennis star arrived on court in a striking red kimono-inspired outfit, though she lamented that her early elimination deprived her of the chance to showcase her remaining custom-made wardrobe options for the Japanese audience.

Her opponent, Pohankova, capitalized on her unexpected run, delivering a disciplined performance that included seven aces to overcome the seasoned champion. Meanwhile, other contenders such as Canada's Leylah Fernandez successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Source: www.aljazeera.com