New York, USA: Defending champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the third round of the US Open by walkover on Wednesday when Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic withdrew for an undisclosed medical reason.
The Japanese third seed, seeking her fifth Grand Slam title and third US Open crown in four years, will next face either Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi or Canadian Leylah Fernandez.
Osaka, 23, is trying to become the first back-to-back US Open winner since Serena Williams, absent with a torn hamstring, captured her third in a row in 2014.
Osaka’s Grand Slam win streak remains at 16 matches, the walkover not counting toward the run just as her withdrawing from the French Open after the first round did not halt the run.
Next up for Osaka will be the winner of a later match between Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi and Canadian Leylah Fernandez.
