Jaqueline Cristian has made headlines by reaching the semifinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Osaka. This achievement comes after Naomi Osaka, the tournament’s top seed, withdrew due to a left leg injury.
Jaqueline Cristian Advances to Semifinals
The 27-year-old Cristian, currently ranked #47 in the WTA rankings, reached the semifinals for the first time in her career at three different WTA tournaments this year. Her previous semifinal appearances occurred earlier in 2025 in Rabat and Iași.
Naomi Osaka’s Withdrawal
Originally scheduled to face Cristian in the quarterfinals on Friday, Osaka’s match was canceled. The tournament officials announced her withdrawal, citing that she had not recovered from an injury sustained in the second round against Suzan Lamens. Osaka managed to complete the match despite battling pain, relying on painkillers to finish the contest. However, she quickly left the court following a post-match interview, apologizing for her state.
Upcoming Matches
Jaqueline Cristian will now compete for a place in the final against the winner of the match between Tereza Valentonva and Olga Danilovic. Valentonva, an 18-year-old ranked #78 in WTA, and Danilovic, the 24-year-old sixth seed ranked #49, are set to face off in the other semifinal match.
On the opposite side of the draw, Leylah Fernandez, ranked #27, has also made it to the semifinals. She will battle against either Sorana Cîrstea or Viktorija Golubic.
Prize Money and Rankings
- Jaqueline Cristian has secured $11,970 in prize money for reaching the semifinals.
- She has earned 98 WTA points, bringing her to #42 in the live rankings, close to her career-best of #41.
- If Cristian reaches the final, she could climb to #37; winning the tournament may see her rise to #34.
Jaqueline Cristian’s journey in Osaka reflects her growing prowess in women’s tennis, promising an exciting path ahead in the WTA circuit.
