Osaka. (Image: Sky Sports )
showed her true colours towards fellow star following the pair’s China Open clash.
Osaka had raced ahead during the round-of-16 tie in Beijing, winning the first set 6-3.
Guaff fought back immediately in the second, taking a two-point lead during what looked like being a simple set victory for the American.
Osaka did level things up at 2-2, before eventually taking a 4-3 lead, but Guaff’s quality prevailed in the end, with the 2023 US Open champion winning the set 6-4.
However, with the appetite whet for what was gearing up to be a stellar deciding set, Osaka announced she was retiring at 1-1 because of a lower back injury, meaning Guaff was handed the victory and a spot in the last eight.
It didn’t stop a classy Gauff from assisting the injured Osaka off-court, with the pair sharing a warm embrace, before the victorious 20-year-old helped carry her opponent’s equipment.
Understandably, tennis fans were left in awe of Gauff’s actions, with the Atlanta-born star praised for her gesture.
@LeDerius commented: “The sweetest moment after Naomi Osaka was forced to retire from her match against . Good to see sportsmanship like this!”
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Lending a helping hand ?????? helps her opponent off the court after Naomi Osaka is forced to retire due to a lower back injury.Gauff advances to the quarterfinals with the score at 3-6, 6-4, RET.
— wta (@WTA)
@CocoBeanSlam replied: “So sweet!!!! One of the many reasons why Coco is loved!!”
@EribertoP1 added: “Both amazing players. We keep seeing glimpses of Osaka’s top level, can’t wait to see her at a stable position playing her good tennis. Same for Coco, this year has been challenging for her, she will find her way back.”
@tumcarayol said: “Brutal luck for Naomi Osaka who was forced to retire due to injury at 3-6 6-4 against after playing some of her best tennis of the year in Beijing. Still, lovely scenes at the end as Gauff offered to carry Osaka’s bags off the court.”
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Speaking after the contest, Gauff claimed: “It was a good match up until this point. I wish Naomi a speedy recovery. No one wants to win a match like this.
“Especially at 1 set all. Overall I tried my best. It wasn’t my best tennis. It was one of those matches where you try your best each point.”
Guaff will now take on qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in the quarter-final, with the winner set to play either Paula Badosa or Zhang Shuai.