Mertens and Osaka will meet in the semifinals

Elise Mertens and Naomi Osaka will star in the first semifinals of the Western & Southern Open, the first major tournament of the coronavirus pandemic. In New York and not in Cincinnati, the usual venue for this Masters 1,000 and Premier Mandatory in Ohio, due to the health crisis, both went ahead with their quarterfinal commitments against Pegula and Kontaveit.

Mertens dismantled the American from the beginning. The number 22 in the world started with a break and settled the matter in just over an hour and two sets (6-1 and 6-3). He served 59% first and took advantage of the five break balls available to him, saving two of the three he had against. He will reach the semifinals having given up only one set.

The same, although with one game less (started in the second round by ranking), has delivered so far Naomi Osaka, who this Wednesday got rid of Kontaveit (4-6, 6-2 and 7-5) with a comeback included. A break in the fifth game gave the part to the Estonian, who took a 6-2 in the second as a reprimand. In the third, 7-5 for the Japanese, who totaled five breaks ten times and served 55% of the first, with which she won 80% of points. This Friday (17:00), both will see the faces.