Slovakian teenager Mia Pohankova has knocked Naomi Osaka out of the Pan Pacific Open in what is only her fourth appearance in the main draw of a WTA event.
The 18-year-old downed the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-3, 7-5 in what was her first meeting against a player ranked in the world’s top 20. Pohankova is the first player ranked outside the top 100 to beat Osaka since January, when she lost to Talia Gibson at the Australian Open.
Pohankova, who is currently ranked 144th in the world, converted four out of five break point chances and won 74% of her first service points. She only managed to gain entry into the main draw with the help of a wild card after recently making her WTA 1000 debut at the Wuhan Open, where she reached the third round.
“It’s really, really nice and I’m really proud of myself,” she said of beating the former world No.1.
“It’s the first time I play against such a high (ranked) player and I feel really good.”
The 2025 Wimbledon junior champion is 11 years younger than Osaka, whom she describes playing against as a ‘dream.’
“I was watching her when I was younger and I watched her win Grand Slams. Now I’m playing against her. I think it’s a dream and I’m really happy.” She said.
Coming into this week, Pohankova’s experience playing in WTA main draws above the 250 level was limited. She reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Chennai Open, the last 16 of the 2026 ‘s-Hertogenbosch Open and then the third round in Wuhan.
“It’s a difficult level,” she said of playing on the pro tour.
“I’m really happy, and I’m trying to do my best every day on the court, and that’s it.”
Pohankova will play qualifier Alycia Parks in the quarter-finals. Parks defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-1 in her latest match.
