Osaka in tears as she has to forfeit

– Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka’s WTA Finals debut ended in tears yesterday as she was forced to retire against Kiki Bertens, handing the Dutchwoman a surprise spot in the semifinals.

Bertens won the first set 6-3 in 47 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium before US Open champion Osaka forfeited the match.

It was a bitterly disappointing end for the 21-year-old, who came into Singapore as the form player but lost three-set matches to Sloane Stephens and Angelique Kerber.

But it was enough for Bertens to seal a final four spot in her debut at the season finale, having defeated top seed Kerber earlier in the round-robin phase.

Bertens only qualified for the WTA Finals just days before the tournament after world No 1 Simona Halep withdrew due to injury.

“It’s never nice to win a match like this,” Bertens said afterwards. –

Singapore