An injury prevents Osaka from playing the final against Azarenka

The duel between two former number one and Grand Slam champions, Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka, could not be given in the final of Premier 5 Cincinnati. The title will go to the Belarusian, because an injury will prevent the Japanese from leaving to the track.

“I injured the tendons of my left leg in the tie-break of the second set (against Mertens) and I have not been able to recover tonight as I would have liked. This week has been very emotional and I can only thank the support received “, explained in a statement the number 10 in the world.

Osaka promoted the boycott of the day on Thursday in protest of the death of Jacob Blake, another black citizen, shot in the back by a policeman. “I just hope that Kobe Bryant is proud of me,” she recalled after winning the semifinal.

For Azarenka (59th) it will be her 21st title, the first since 2016, the year she became a mother. Later, a traumatic separation from her husband with problems to retain custody of their son.

The two-time Grand Slam champion said: “I deserve to be where I am again. I think it's unfortunate, because I actually really wanted to compete against Naomi. It would have been an incredible opportunity to face her level, and she has been playing very well. I lost to her the last time we played, so I really wanted to. “

The Belarusian added in a video conference: “Playing the final is always really special. I just have to accept that it is. I would have loved to play, but, it is what it is, and the most important thing is that I played five really good games this week and I think that I deserve to be where I am today.This achievement is quite significant. It's my first title as a mom. I haven't even thought about it. That makes it special. That part is special for me, plus every day I enjoy the whole process of working hard to win games more. “