Teenage Star Stuns Naomi Osaka in Tokyo Upset
Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova produced a major upset at the Pan Pacific Open, defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-3, 7-5. The 18-year-old wildcard, ranked 144th in the world, secured the biggest victory of her young career in only her fourth main-draw appearance at a WTA event.
The 2025 Wimbledon junior champion impressed with her serving and converted four of her five break-point opportunities against the former world number one. Pohankova said she was proud of the achievement, describing the opportunity to face Osaka, whom she watched winning Grand Slam titles as a child, as a dream come true.
Pohankova will next face qualifier Alycia Parks in the quarter-finals after Parks defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-1. The Slovakian teenager arrives at the last eight following her recent breakthrough at the Wuhan Open, where she reached the third round, and will now look to extend her impressive run in Tokyo.
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