By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 29, 2026
Photo credit: Screen Shot
Naomi Osaka was reminded of a traditional tennis truism in Tokyo.
What you don’t know, can hurt you.
Slovak wild card Mia Pohankova shocked Osaka, 6-3, 7-5, to storm into the quarterfinals of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.
A week after celebrating her 18th birthday, world No. 144 Pohankova celebrated with the biggest win of her young pro career.
“I am really proud of myself,” Pohankova said. “It is the first time I have played against such a hard player and I feel really, really good.”
The 2025 Wimbledon Girls’ champion advanced to her maiden Tokyo quarterfinal where she will face American Alycia Parks for a semifinal spot.
The powerful Parks pounded out a 6-3, 6-1 win over Aussie Kimberly Birrell.
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