As the US Open approaches, injuries are a concern after four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from her opening match at the WTA Toronto Masters on Tuesday due to lower back pain.
When Osaka quit with a 7-6 (7/4), 3-0 deficit, Kaia Kanepi of Estonia advanced. Last week's runner-up in Washington, Kanepi, required 71 minutes on the court and broke three times before retiring. Since losing to world number one Iga Swiatek in the Miami final in early April, Osaka has only participated in six matches and has a 2-4 record. 37-year-old Kanepi prevailed in their lone previous encounter at the US Open five years ago in three sets.
Emma Raducanu, the reigning US Open champion from Britain, was eliminated in the first round after falling to Camila Giorgi of Italy 7-6 (7/0), 6-2. Raducanu maintained her positive attitude despite the setback in the city of her birth 19 years ago as her US Open championship defence approached.