Naomi Osaka books quarterfinal ticket at DC Open

Naomi Osaka of Japan looks on during a women’s singles match against Ashlyn Krueger of the United States during day three of the Mubadala Citi DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on July 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

WASHINGTON–Women’s third seed Naomi Osaka also punched her quarterfinal ticket in the 2026 Mubadala DC Open, advancing when American Ashlyn Krueger retired while trailing 6-3, 3-1.

Japan’s Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion coming off a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, cut a confident figure on the Washington hardcourts.

But she admitted it was hard to stay focused with Krueger still hindered after receiving treatment on her right ankle while trailing 4-1 in the first set.

“It’s a tough situation, and I hope that she gets better ASAP,” Osaka said.

She’ll next face Italian Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who toppled eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Meanwhile, Filipino rising star Alexandra Eala dumped out defending women’s champion Leylah Fernandez to reach the quarterfinals.

Eala, 21, defeated the seventh seed from Canada 6-2, 7-6 (7/1), battling back from 5-1 down in an epic second set.

It continues a breakout season for Eala, who stunned Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon last month to become the first Philippine player to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam.

“Everything’s kind of a blur right now. I really made an effort to stay in the moment, and I was ready for anything that could have happened,” Eala, now ranked 28th in the world, said.