WTA Italian Open 2025: Osaka and Jabeur advance to third round as Badosa, Kvitova pull out
Naomi Osaka and Ons Jabeur advanced to the Italian Open third round in Rome on Thursday after ninth seed Paula Badosa and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova withdrew due to injuries.
Japan's Osaka crushed Swiss lucky loser Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-3 after 27-year-old Badosa pulled out due to a recurring back injury. The World No. 2's absence cast more doubts over her fitness ahead of the French Open.
Kvitova was forced to withdraw due to a leg problem, so three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur advanced via walkover and will next face sixth seed Italian Jasmine Paolini or qualifier Lulu Sun.
Kvitova, 35, secured her first victory since returning from maternity leave by defeating Irina-Camelia Begu in the first round.
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