TOKYO (Azat TV) – Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka suffered a surprising second-round exit at the Pan Pacific Open on Thursday, falling 6-3, 7-5 to 18-year-old Slovakian wildcard entry Mia Pohankova at Ariake Tennis Park, as reported by Kyodo News. Pohankova, ranked No. 144 and celebrating her 18th birthday week, secured the biggest victory of her professional career in 1 hour and 35 minutes, according to WTA Tennis. The defeat marks a disappointing return to Tokyo for Osaka, who was playing the WTA 500 tournament for the first time in four years and was coming off a solid first-round victory over Jasmine Paolini.
The match began with Osaka breaking early to establish a 2-0 lead in the opening set. However, Pohankova immediately answered by breaking back and seizing control with precise forehand winners, taking the first set 6-3. The second set proved much tighter, featuring no service breaks until the final stages. Pohankova held her nerve under pressure, saving crucial break points across two service games before breaking Osaka in the 12th game. The decisive moment came when Osaka sent a forehand long, sealing the straight-sets upset and sending the teenage qualifier into her first career WTA quarterfinal.
Career Milestone and Rising Momentum
For Pohankova, the triumph continues an impressive ascent up the tennis rankings. Last year’s junior singles champion at Wimbledon has steadily built momentum through the 2026 season. After starting last year ranked No. 659, she captured an ITF W75 title, finished as a runner-up at an ITF W100 event in April, and reached back-to-back WTA 125 semifinals in September. She arrived in Tokyo fresh off two victories at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, bringing sharp form into her matchup against her childhood idol.
Reflecting on her milestone victory in an on-court interview covered by Kyodo News, Pohankova expressed disbelief over facing a player she grew up watching. “I was watching her when I was younger and watching her when she won the Grand Slams, and now I play against her. I think it’s like a dream and I’m really, really happy,” she said. The teenager outhit the home favorite 7-3 in both winners and aces during the contest, showcasing aggressive baseline play that continually pressured Osaka’s defense.
Broader Tournament Context and Stakes
The exit deals a blow to Osaka, a three-time finalist and the tournament’s 2019 champion, who is currently ranked 18th in the world. The defeat extends a difficult stretch, marking her third consecutive tournament appearance without reaching a quarterfinal. As she regroups, the Japanese star will need to reevaluate her hard-court performance heading toward the final stretches of the professional tennis calendar.
Meanwhile, the tournament saw several other notable developments. Top-ranked Elena Rybakina secured the coveted year-end No. 1 ranking after defeating Yulia Putintseva 6-2, 6-3, as ESPN reported. Rybakina, winner of the Australian Open and US Open this season, moves closer to a rare career Grand Slam, needing only a French Open crown. In other round-of-16 action, Leylah Fernandez eliminated No. 14 seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6 (8). The draw was also impacted by earlier withdrawals from second-seeded Maja Chwalinska due to a left thigh injury and fourth-seeded Belinda Bencic due to a right ankle issue.
Next Steps in Tokyo
With her place in the quarterfinals secured, Pohankova will face American player Alycia Parks next as she pursues her first WTA-level semifinal appearance. The matchup against Parks presents another significant opportunity for the teenage wildcard to extend her breakthrough run at the Ariake Tennis Park.