The situation has been quite messy in New York in the last 24 hours. While the organization of the Western & Southern Open was focussed on the task of keeping everyone safe while staging the tournament, a new challenge came on: Naomi Osaka!
The Japanese sensation decided to withdraw from the tournament in protest of the systematic racist behavior in the US. Naomi was particularly shocked by the shooting of Jacob Blake by the police and she decided to take action.
However, the ATP, WTA and the USTA (that has organized the event) agreed to freeze tennis for one day and postpone the semifinals to Friday.
Naomi Osaka about changing idea
After Naomi pulled out from the tournament, she decided to play releasing the following statement
“As you know I pulled out off the tournament yesterday in support of racial injustice and continued police violence. I was (and am) ready and prepared to concede the match to my opponent. However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement. I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support”
The semifinals
On Friday, Naomi Osaka will finally take on Elise Mertens while Johanna Konta will face Victoria Azarenka
Naomi Osaka vs. Elise Mertens
Prediction: Naomi Osaka in 3
Naomi Osaka and Elise Mertens played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. The last time that they locked horns, Naomi Osaka won 6-4 6-1 in the semifinal in Osaka (Toray Pan Pacific Open) in September 2019.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
At the moment ranked no.10, the Japanese has a 8-3 win-loss record in 2020. Osaka is now playing in New York where she bested Karolina Muchova 6-75 6-4 6-2, Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-1 and Anett Kontaveit 4-6 6-2 7-5.
The Japanese won 5 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
At the moment ranked no.22, Elise has a 19-7 win-loss record in 2020. The Belgian is competing in New York where she bested Rebecca Peterson 6-0 6-2, Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 6-75 6-3, Veronika Kudermetova 6-2 6-3 and Jessica Pegula 6-1 6-3.
Elise Mertens will fight against Osaka in the semifinal. The head to head is 1-1. The Belgian got to the final in Prague.
Mertens won 5 titles in her career: 3 on hard courts and 2 on clay courts. (See the list of her titles)
Jo Konta vs. Vika Azarenka. PREDICTION
Konta in 3 sets
Johanna Konta and Victoria Azarenka played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Konta. The last time that they played, Johanna Konta won 6-3 6-1 in the 2nd round in Montreal (Rogers Cup) in August 2018.
Now ranked no.15, the Brit has a 6-5 win-loss record in 2020. The Brit is playing at the moment in New York where she ousted Kirsten Flipkens 6-2 6-0, Vera Zvonareva 6-4 6-2 and Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-3.
Johanna Konta will come up against Azarenka in the semifinal. The head to head is 2-1 for Konta.
Now ranked no.59, Victoria has a 4-2 win-loss record in 2020. The Belarussian is currently playing in New York where she toppled Donna Vekic 6-2 6-3, Caroline Garcia 6-2 7-68, Alize Cornet 6-4 7-5 and Ons Jabeur 7-69 6-2.
Victoria Azarenka will play Konta in the semifinal. The head to head is 2-1 for Konta.
Azarenka won 20 titles in her career: 15 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of her titles)
