Naomi Osaka expresses relief after airline recovers her lost bags as Japanese avoids risk of missing Cincinnati Open 2024

Naomi Osaka updated her fans about finding her missing bags as the threat of missing out on Cincinnati Open loomed. The Japanese had earlier called on United Airlines for help regarding the same.

Osaka, who kicked off her North American hard-court season in Toronto, beat Ons Jabeur 6-3, 6-1 in just an hour and 11 minutes In the opening round of the Canadian Open. However, she lost 6-3, 6-4 to Elise Mertens in the second round.

The 26-year-old's next stop is the Cincinnati Open. However, an unfortunate incident occurred with Osaka as she took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask United Airlines to look for her bags, which she initially lost. The Japanese said that if she didn't receive her bags within a couple of days, she couldn't participate in the Cincinnati Open.

"lol @united lost my bags and if I don’t get them tonight or tomorrow I literally can’t play Cinncinati," Osaka wrote.

United Airlines responded to the four-time Grand Slam champion and asked her to provide some details so that they could help her.

"Hi, Naomi. We're sorry to hear this. We'd like to look into this and assist further. When you have a moment, please DM your bag tag number. ^NB," they wrote.

The Airlines then assured the Japanese that her bags had arrived in Cincinnati.

"Hi, Naomi. We wanted to let you know we can confirm your bags have arrived in Cincinnati. Please send us a DM so we can finalize the plan to reunite you with your baggage. ^NB," the airline tweeted.

Naomi Osaka tweeted that she had received her bags, meaning she had avoided the threat of missing the WTA 1000 tournament.

"update : I received my bags 🙏🏾," Osaka tweeted.

Naomi Osaka will face Anna Blinkova in the first qualifying round of the 2024 Cincinnati Open

Naomi Osaka (Image Source: Getty)

Naomi Osaka will face 11th seed Anna Blinkova in the opening round of qualifying at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, in what will be the second meeting between the two women. Their only meeting prior was a 6-4, (5)6-7, 6-2 topsy-turvy thriller won by Osaka in the first round of the 2019 US Open.

Blinkova has not been in fine form lately and is currently on a five-match losing streak. Her last win came in the second round of the Bad Homburg Open against Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Whoever out of Osaka or Blinkova wins, will take on either Moyuka Uchijima or Ashlyn Krueger in the final qualifying round.