Naomi Osaka hit the headlines strong and loud after she announced her refusal to play the semifinal of the Western & Southern Open on Thursday in support of the so-called #blacklivesmatter movement following the horrible shooting of Jacob Black.
Naomi Osaka’s statement was interpreted by many as an official withdrawal. However, the WTA tour with the USTA decided to freeze tennis for one day and the semifinals were postponed to Friday. This means that Naomi Osaka is still on in her match against Elie Mertens.
Naomi Osaka vs. Elise Mertens. PREVIEW, PREDICTION
Naomi in 3 sets
Naomi Osaka and Elise Mertens are scheduled to play on Friday at 11 am on the Grandstand.
They 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.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Osaka in New York, ranking, and results in 2020
Ranked world no.10, Osaka has a 8-3 win-loss record in 2020. Osaka is currently competing in New York where she beat Karolina Muchova 6-75 6-4 6-2, Dayana Yastremska 6-3 6-1 and Anett Kontaveit 4-6 6-2 7-5.
Naomi Osaka will play Mertens in the semifinal. The head to head is 1-1.
Osaka won 5 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Mertens in New York, ranking, and results in 2020
Now ranked no.22, Elise has a 19-7 win-loss record in 2020. Elise is now playing in New York where she toppled 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 come up 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).
