Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur progressed to the third round of the Italian Open in Rome on Thursday, following the withdrawal of ninth seed Paula Badosa and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova due to injury.
Japan’s Osaka overcame Swiss lucky loser Viktorija Golubic 2–6, 7–5, 6–1, while 27-year-old Badosa further fuelled concerns over her fitness ahead of the French Open, as the former world number two from Spain pulled out of yet another tournament owing to a recurring back injury.
Kvitova, meanwhile, was forced to withdraw with a leg issue, allowing three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur to advance via walkover. The Tunisian will next face either sixth seed Jasmine Paolini of Italy or qualifier Lulu Sun.
Kvitova, 35, had secured her first win since returning from maternity leave by defeating Irina-Camelia Begu in the opening round.
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