Naomi Osaka, one of the main responsible for the suspension of the day today at the Masters 1,000 in Cincinnati, has communicated that finally yes he will play the semifinals of the tournament. The Japanese announced yesterday that he would not play his match against Elise Mertens, and hours later the ATP, WTA and USTA canceled all matches this Thursday.
Now, the Japanese has announced that on Friday, the day on which the matches are resumed in New York, she will play her match against the Belgian Mertens. “As you know, yesterday I withdrew from the tournament due to racial injustice and continued police violence. I was (and am) ready to concede the match to my opponent. Either way, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have accepted your request to play this Friday. They offered to postpone the games to Friday and that, for me, generates more attention on movement. I want to thank the WTA and the tournament for their support, “read the statement issued by the Japanese.
In this way, the Japanese, black since her father is originally from Haiti and has been very involved for months with the Black Lives Matter movement, will seek a pass to the final of the Masters 1,000 in Cincinnati after getting the world of tennis to participate in a historic day for the sport.
Order of Play: Friday, August 28
Clue Louis Armstrong:
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE, 4) vs Milos Raonic (CAN), at 19:00
Then:
Novak Djokovic (SER, 1) vs Roberto Bautista (8)
Grandstand court:
Elise Mertens (BEL, 14) vs Naomi Osaka (JAP, 4), at 5:00 p.m.
Track 10
Johanna Konta (GBr, 8) vs Victoria Azarenka (BIE), at 17:00