Naomi Osaka gets a walkover in the second round of the 2021 US Open after Olga Danilovic suffers from a ‘Non-Covid related viral illness’

Naomi Osaka gets a walkover in the second round of the 2021 US Open after Olga Danilovic suffers from a ‘Non-Covid related viral illness’

Olga Danilovic and Naomi Osaka

Defending champion Naomi Osaka is through to the third round of the 2021 US Open without even stepping on court after she received a walkover. Her opponent, Olga Danilovic pulled out of the match at the last minute due to health issues which meant that Osaka will directly play her third round match on Friday having played her last match on Monday.

Danilovic took to social media to reveal that she was dealing with a non-covid related viral infection since the last few days and it hasn’t gotten any better, which meant that she was forced to withdraw from her second round match.

“Hi everyone…I am so sad to have to withdrawal from my match this morning. I have been feeling unwell these past few days dealing with a non-covid related viral illness,” Danilovic wrote.

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“I was really looking forward to playing against Naomi on Arthur Ashe Stadium today, but not to be this time. I just want to say big thank you to medical stuff here in Us Open and everyone for your support and I cannot wait to be back in New York at this amazing tournament next year.”

Danilovic was playing great since the last week at Flushing Meadows. She overcame three tricky battles in the qualifiers and then beat American Alycia Parks in the first round in straight sets. But to her dismay, she had an unfortunate end to her 2021 campaign.

Osaka to play Fernandez next

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka will now be back on court on Friday against Leylah Annie Fernandez in the third round. Osaka tends to do well on hard courts and has won the last 2 hard court slams- the 2020 US Open and the 2021 Australian Open. She showed amazing form in the first round and won the match convincingly without breaking much sweat.

She will again start as the favorite in the third round clash and will want to run away with the match quickly before entering the business end of the tournament.

Also read: READ: What Novak Djokovic told Holger Rune in the locker room after their match at the 2021 US Open