Osaka wins after Raducanu pulls out of the United CupStaff writer, with AFP, PERTH, AustraliaFour-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka yesterday got her season off to a winning start for Japan in the United Cup, after the UK’s Emma Raducanu pulled out of their singles clash with a fitness issue, while in Brisbane, Taiwan’s Latisha Chan and Wu Fang-hsien crashed out of the women’s doubles. Osaka was too strong for reserve and 276th-ranked Katie Swan, winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 as Raducanu watched from the sidelines. Katie Swan of the UK returns to Naomi Osaka of Japan during their United Cup match in Perth, Australia, yesterday. Also on Saturday, in Sydney, Zhang Zhizhen led China to a 2-1 win over Belgium to begin their tournament, and despite Norway’s Casper Ruud stunning Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-3, the hosts prevailed 2-1.

Source: Taipei Times January 04, 2026 17:14 UTC