Four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek&nbsp;crashed out of the quarter-finals at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday, while Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari stormed into the semi-finals. Russia's Veronika Kudermetova, ranked 19th, served four aces and beat world number two Swiatek 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes.

"My service worked really well today," the 26-year-old said after the match.&nbsp;"In the last game, I tried to focus that I need to play point, I don't need to hit the ace and I just need to put the serve in and try to play a rally."

Kudermetova will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 86th, on Saturday. "It'll be an interesting and a very tough match," Kudermetova said. "I played worse," said Swiatek, who lost her number-one ranking at the US Open. "I know the mistakes I made... I know exactly how I should play differently so I'm not going to make these mistakes again," she said.

World number four Pegula of the United States beat 26-year-old Russian Daria Kasatkina, ranked 13th, 6-1, 6-0. "I thought I played a pretty flawless match. Played smart and played aggressive," Pegula said.

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She will face world number six Maria Sakkari in the semi-finals, who beat number 10 Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2. Greece's Sakkari said she has played against Pegula many times and they know each other's game really well. "We never had an easy match. She's very solid and she's a fighter," the 28-year-old said. "It can be very tough but I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing."

Sakkari ended her four-year wait for a second WTA title at the Guadalajara Open last week, where she beat Garcia in the semi-finals en route to lifting the trophy. She had come up empty in six finals since her breakthrough victory in Rabat in 2019. That included the Guadalajara final last year, when she lost to Jessica Pegula, and a loss to US Open champion Coco Gauff in the final of the Washington Open this year.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the quarter-finals at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday, while Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari stormed into the semi-finals.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek crashed out of the quarter-finals at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Friday, while Jessica Pegula and Maria Sakkari stormed into the semi-finals. Russia's Veronika Kudermetova, ranked 19th, served four aces and beat world number two Swiatek 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in two hours and 21 minutes. "My service worked really well today," the 26-year-old said after the match. "In the last game, I tried to focus that I need to play point, I don't need to hit the ace and I just need to put the serve in and try to play a rally." Kudermetova will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, ranked 86th, on Saturday. "It'll be an interesting and a very tough match," Kudermetova said. "I played worse," said Swiatek, who lost her number-one ranking at the US Open. "I know the mistakes I made... I know exactly how I should play differently so I'm not going to make these mistakes again," she said. World number four Pegula of the United States beat 26-year-old Russian Daria Kasatkina, ranked 13th, 6-1, 6-0. "I thought I played a pretty flawless match. Played smart and played aggressive," Pegula said. Also read: NFL: Spain, France and Brazil on radar as sites for future international games She will face world number six Maria Sakkari in the semi-finals, who beat number 10 Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-2. Greece's Sakkari said she has played against Pegula many times and they know each other's game really well. "We never had an easy match. She's very solid and she's a fighter," the 28-year-old said. "It can be very tough but I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing." Sakkari ended her four-year wait for a second WTA title at the Guadalajara Open last week, where she beat Garcia in the semi-finals en route to lifting the trophy. She had come up empty in six finals since her breakthrough victory in Rabat in 2019. That included the Guadalajara final last year, when she lost to Jessica Pegula, and a loss to US Open champion Coco Gauff in the final of the Washington Open this year.

Maria Sakkari, Jessica Pegula reach Pan Pacific Open semi-finals as Iga Swiatek bows out

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Monday pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, days after slamming the WTA for the introduction of performance byes at the tournament. Byes are usually awarded to top-seeded players, but performance byes allow for players who have played well in the previous week to move directly into the second round of the following tournament.

Byes for the Pan Pacific Open were given to Maria Sakkari, who won the Guadalajara Open title on Saturday, and Caroline Garcia, who reached the semi-finals. Both players are ranked lower than Rybakina, who was drawn against Linda Noskova in the first round. "As a player I want to give my all on the court and at the moment my body is not ready to do that," Rybakina said on Instagram. "That's why I decided to listen to my body and withdraw from the tournament. I love Japan, my fans here are so unique and for that reason this is a tough decision."

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Rybakina said her decision to withdraw from the tournament had nothing to do with her missing out on a bye, adding: "The WTA topic is another topic, on which I have my opinions and will clearly voice them in future."

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Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Monday pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, days after slamming the WTA for the introduction of performance byes at the tournament.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Monday pulled out of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, days after slamming the WTA for the introduction of performance byes at the tournament. Byes are usually awarded to top-seeded players, but performance byes allow for players who have played well in the previous week to move directly into the second round of the following tournament. Byes for the Pan Pacific Open were given to Maria Sakkari, who won the Guadalajara Open title on Saturday, and Caroline Garcia, who reached the semi-finals. Both players are ranked lower than Rybakina, who was drawn against Linda Noskova in the first round. "As a player I want to give my all on the court and at the moment my body is not ready to do that," Rybakina said on Instagram. "That's why I decided to listen to my body and withdraw from the tournament. I love Japan, my fans here are so unique and for that reason this is a tough decision." Also read: Chinese Football Association's ex-boss Chen Xuyuan charged for 'accepting bribes' Rybakina said her decision to withdraw from the tournament had nothing to do with her missing out on a bye, adding: "The WTA topic is another topic, on which I have my opinions and will clearly voice them in future." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina withdraws from Pan Pacific Open

The defending champion Naomi Osaka has announced her withdrawal from the ongoing Pan Pacific Open due to illness. Her withdrawal comes ahead of her second-round match against number 16 Beatriz Haddad Maia. "I am really sorry that I am not able to compete today. It is an honour to be able to play at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in front of the amazing fans here in Japan. This has and always will be a special tournament for me and I wish I could have stepped on the court today, but my body would not let me. Thank you for all your support this week and I will see you next year," Osaka was quoted as saying by WTA in a statement on Thursday.

Following this announcement, Haddad Maia has advanced to the quarterfinals via walkover. She will face either No. 4 seed Veronika Kudermetova or Mexican qualifier Fernanda Contreras Gomez in the QFs. Osaka is the defending champion, clinching the title in 2019. No competition could happen in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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In the ongoing edition of the tournament, Osaka advanced to the second round after Daria Saville of Australia was forced to retire owing to a knee injury during the first round. Prior to the event, she had told media that she was fit and healthy again to contest after a season spent battling injuries. 
 
"I think of course the year has been not the best year for me but I think overall I have learned a lot about myself. I am happy to be healthy because in Europe I did injure myself and that was the first injury that took me that long to get healed," Osaka had said. 
 
"I think life is ups and downs and this one was more down than up but overall I am happy with where I am right now," she had added. The Pan Pacific Open will be going on from September 19 to September 25 this year.

The defending champion Naomi Osaka has announced her withdrawal from the ongoing Pan Pacific Open due to illness. Her withdrawal comes ahead of her second-round match against number 16 Beatriz Haddad Maia.

The defending champion Naomi Osaka has announced her withdrawal from the ongoing Pan Pacific Open due to illness. Her withdrawal comes ahead of her second-round match against number 16 Beatriz Haddad Maia. "I am really sorry that I am not able to compete today. It is an honour to be able to play at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in front of the amazing fans here in Japan. This has and always will be a special tournament for me and I wish I could have stepped on the court today, but my body would not let me. Thank you for all your support this week and I will see you next year," Osaka was quoted as saying by WTA in a statement on Thursday. Following this announcement, Haddad Maia has advanced to the quarterfinals via walkover. She will face either No. 4 seed Veronika Kudermetova or Mexican qualifier Fernanda Contreras Gomez in the QFs. Osaka is the defending champion, clinching the title in 2019. No competition could happen in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO READ | EXPLAINED: What is Laver Cup and its format? Everything to know about Roger Federer's farewell event In the ongoing edition of the tournament, Osaka advanced to the second round after Daria Saville of Australia was forced to retire owing to a knee injury during the first round. Prior to the event, she had told media that she was fit and healthy again to contest after a season spent battling injuries. "I think of course the year has been not the best year for me but I think overall I have learned a lot about myself. I am happy to be healthy because in Europe I did injure myself and that was the first injury that took me that long to get healed," Osaka had said. "I think life is ups and downs and this one was more down than up but overall I am happy with where I am right now," she had added. The Pan Pacific Open will be going on from September 19 to September 25 this year.

Defending champion Naomi Osaka pulls out of Pan Pacific Open due to illness

Struggling Naomi Osaka admitted Monday that she had gone through "more down than up" this year as she tries to break out of her slump at her home Pan Pacific Open this week. The former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion has plummeted to 48 in the women's tennis world rankings after a wretched run that has seen her crash out in the first round of her last three tournaments.

The Japanese 24-year-old has not won a title since last year's Australian Open and has been hampered this season by injury. But Osaka is hoping to right the ship at the WTA event in Tokyo where she is defending champion, albeit from three years ago as the tournament returns for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. She will face stiff competition from a field that includes US Open semi-finalist Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Spain's world number four Paula Badosa.

"This year has been not the best year for me but I've learned a lot about myself," Osaka said, adding that she was "happy to be healthy". "Life is ups and downs, and this year was more down than up, but overall I'm pretty happy with where I am now." Osaka has been outside the top 10 all year and endured first-round defeats at both the French and US Opens. She withdrew from Wimbledon with an Achilles injury, after originally considering skipping the tournament because ranking points would not be awarded.

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Osaka admitted that her fall from the sport's summit had been difficult to handle. "It was kind of hard at first, just because I feel like I should be somewhere where I'm obviously currently not," she said. "I think for me it's more about being at peace with myself. I know that I'm here for a reason." Osaka said she was looking forward to playing in front of Japanese fans again after taking part in last year's Tokyo Olympics behind closed doors, but would have to "trust in my forehand more" to rebuild her confidence after her poor season.&nbsp;

She will begin her campaign against Australia's world number 55 Daria Saville in the&nbsp;first round. Osaka paid tribute to tennis legend Serena Williams, who retired after the US Open, and said she had "gotten over trying to fill people's shoes". "I don't think you can ever do that because everyone is unique, and we're all forging our own paths and we're all on our own journeys," said Osaka. "It's really incredible all the stuff she's done for this sport and beyond that. Just watching her as a businesswoman is really cool."

Struggling Naomi Osaka admitted Monday that she had gone through "more down than up" this year as she tries to break out of her slump at her home Pan Pacific Open this week.

Struggling Naomi Osaka admitted Monday that she had gone through "more down than up" this year as she tries to break out of her slump at her home Pan Pacific Open this week. The former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion has plummeted to 48 in the women's tennis world rankings after a wretched run that has seen her crash out in the first round of her last three tournaments. The Japanese 24-year-old has not won a title since last year's Australian Open and has been hampered this season by injury. But Osaka is hoping to right the ship at the WTA event in Tokyo where she is defending champion, albeit from three years ago as the tournament returns for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. She will face stiff competition from a field that includes US Open semi-finalist Caroline Garcia of France, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Spain's world number four Paula Badosa. "This year has been not the best year for me but I've learned a lot about myself," Osaka said, adding that she was "happy to be healthy". "Life is ups and downs, and this year was more down than up, but overall I'm pretty happy with where I am now." Osaka has been outside the top 10 all year and endured first-round defeats at both the French and US Opens. She withdrew from Wimbledon with an Achilles injury, after originally considering skipping the tournament because ranking points would not be awarded. ALSO READ | Czech Republic teenager Linda Fruhvirtova wins Chennai Open Osaka admitted that her fall from the sport's summit had been difficult to handle. "It was kind of hard at first, just because I feel like I should be somewhere where I'm obviously currently not," she said. "I think for me it's more about being at peace with myself. I know that I'm here for a reason." Osaka said she was looking forward to playing in front of Japanese fans again after taking part in last year's Tokyo Olympics behind closed doors, but would have to "trust in my forehand more" to rebuild her confidence after her poor season. She will begin her campaign against Australia's world number 55 Daria Saville in the first round. Osaka paid tribute to tennis legend Serena Williams, who retired after the US Open, and said she had "gotten over trying to fill people's shoes". "I don't think you can ever do that because everyone is unique, and we're all forging our own paths and we're all on our own journeys," said Osaka. "It's really incredible all the stuff she's done for this sport and beyond that. Just watching her as a businesswoman is really cool."

Japan's Naomi Osaka aiming to break slump in Pan Pacific Open

The WTA Pan Pacific Open in Japan, one of Asia's top women's tennis tournaments, has been scrapped for the first time because of the coronavirus, organisers said Tuesday.

The cancellation of the event, which was scheduled for November and was won by Japan's Naomi Osaka last year, follows last week's axing of all international tennis tournaments in China for 2020.

The Pan Pacific's demise ends a continuous run for the tournament since 1984 and leaves Asia with only one Women's Tennis Association event, October's Korea Open, on this year's coronavirus-wrecked schedule.

It is also another blow for sport in Japan after the Tokyo Olympics, originally due to start last week, were postponed for a year over COVID-19.

"We were trying to find ways (to hold the Pan Pacific Open), such as having no audience or limiting the number of spectators," organisers said in a statement.

"But we reached the tough conclusion that we have to cancel the tournament given the difficulty of ensuring the safety" of all involved, they added.

The tournament had already been postponed from September to November, with organisers hoping the delay would allow them to hold the event.&nbsp;

Last year's Pan Pacific Open drew outsize attention in Japan thanks to hometown hero Osaka, who became the first Japanese player to win the tournament since Kimiko Date in 1995.

Her victory was all the sweeter for occurring in the city of Osaka, where the charismatic star was born.

The Pan Pacific Open is only the latest sports event to fall by the wayside as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage.

Last week, the ATP and WTA announced all international tennis tournaments in China, including the Shanghai Masters and WTA Finals, would be cancelled because of the virus.

The move came after China said it would not stage most international sports events for the rest of 2020, in a bid to keep the pandemic in check.

The global tennis season has been at a standstill since mid-March due to the virus outbreak worldwide, and is struggling to restart.

The Cincinnati Open and US Open are still scheduled to take place back-to-back in New York from August 20, despite several leading figures in men's tennis casting doubts over the hardcourt Grand Slam.

The WTA tour is scheduled to restart on August 3 in Palermo, Italy, making it the first event on the reshuffled calendar.&nbsp;

Organisers of the Korea Open, Asia's last remaining tournament on this year's WTA calendar, told AFP they were "monitoring the situation" but had not made any decision to cancel.

The WTA Pan Pacific Open in Japan, one of Asia's top women's tennis tournaments, has been scrapped for the first time because of the coronavirus, organisers said Tuesday.

The WTA Pan Pacific Open in Japan, one of Asia's top women's tennis tournaments, has been scrapped for the first time because of the coronavirus, organisers said Tuesday. The cancellation of the event, which was scheduled for November and was won by Japan's Naomi Osaka last year, follows last week's axing of all international tennis tournaments in China for 2020. The Pan Pacific's demise ends a continuous run for the tournament since 1984 and leaves Asia with only one Women's Tennis Association event, October's Korea Open, on this year's coronavirus-wrecked schedule. It is also another blow for sport in Japan after the Tokyo Olympics, originally due to start last week, were postponed for a year over COVID-19. "We were trying to find ways (to hold the Pan Pacific Open), such as having no audience or limiting the number of spectators," organisers said in a statement. "But we reached the tough conclusion that we have to cancel the tournament given the difficulty of ensuring the safety" of all involved, they added. The tournament had already been postponed from September to November, with organisers hoping the delay would allow them to hold the event. Last year's Pan Pacific Open drew outsize attention in Japan thanks to hometown hero Osaka, who became the first Japanese player to win the tournament since Kimiko Date in 1995. Her victory was all the sweeter for occurring in the city of Osaka, where the charismatic star was born. The Pan Pacific Open is only the latest sports event to fall by the wayside as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage. Last week, the ATP and WTA announced all international tennis tournaments in China, including the Shanghai Masters and WTA Finals, would be cancelled because of the virus. The move came after China said it would not stage most international sports events for the rest of 2020, in a bid to keep the pandemic in check. The global tennis season has been at a standstill since mid-March due to the virus outbreak worldwide, and is struggling to restart. The Cincinnati Open and US Open are still scheduled to take place back-to-back in New York from August 20, despite several leading figures in men's tennis casting doubts over the hardcourt Grand Slam. The WTA tour is scheduled to restart on August 3 in Palermo, Italy, making it the first event on the reshuffled calendar. Organisers of the Korea Open, Asia's last remaining tournament on this year's WTA calendar, told AFP they were "monitoring the situation" but had not made any decision to cancel.

Japan's WTA Pan Pacific Open tennis scrapped over coronavirus

Naomi Osaka lifted her first trophy since winning the Australian Open in January, blasting past Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-3 in the Pan Pacific Open final on Sunday.

Her victory marked a return to the ruthless form that helped world number four Osaka claim last year's US&nbsp;Open crown before her Melbourne success, with the 21-year-old not dropping a set all week in Osaka, Japan.

"I just wanted to win this really bad," Osaka, who has endured several lows this season and sacked two coaches in the space of seven months, told a news conference.

She became the first Japanese player to win the title since Kimiko Date in 1995.

"I think what I learned from this tournament is just to focus every point, and just to have really positive energy," Osaka added.

Osaka relied on her powerful serve and groundstrokes to break world number 41 Pavlyuchenkova early in the contest and cruise through the opening set.

Chasing her first title in the tournament having made the final twice before -- in 2016 and 2018 when it was held in Tokyo -- Osaka started the second set in similarly dominant fashion but Pavlyuchenkova saved three break points to hold for 2-4.

However, there was no denying Osaka as she closed out the match on her third matchpoint and stayed on course to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen.

Naomi Osaka lifted her first trophy since winning the Australian Open in January, blasting past Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-3 in the Pan Pacific Open final on Sunday.

Naomi Osaka lifted her first trophy since winning the Australian Open in January, blasting past Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2 6-3 in the Pan Pacific Open final on Sunday. Her victory marked a return to the ruthless form that helped world number four Osaka claim last year's US Open crown before her Melbourne success, with the 21-year-old not dropping a set all week in Osaka, Japan. "I just wanted to win this really bad," Osaka, who has endured several lows this season and sacked two coaches in the space of seven months, told a news conference. She became the first Japanese player to win the title since Kimiko Date in 1995. "I think what I learned from this tournament is just to focus every point, and just to have really positive energy," Osaka added. Osaka relied on her powerful serve and groundstrokes to break world number 41 Pavlyuchenkova early in the contest and cruise through the opening set. Chasing her first title in the tournament having made the final twice before -- in 2016 and 2018 when it was held in Tokyo -- Osaka started the second set in similarly dominant fashion but Pavlyuchenkova saved three break points to hold for 2-4. However, there was no denying Osaka as she closed out the match on her third matchpoint and stayed on course to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals in Shenzhen.

Naomi Osaka returns to winning ways with Pan Pacific Open crown

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