Naomi Osaka, who is aiming to win the Australian Open, one of the four major tennis tournaments, for the first time in two years, has made final adjustments for the semi-final with American Serena Williams on the afternoon of the 18th.

In the Australian Open Women's Singles Semifinals in Melbourne, Australia, World No. 3 Osaka will face World No. 11 Serena Williams on the afternoon of the 18th.



Before the match, Osaka made a light adjustment for about 30 minutes on the court in the venue from 10 am Japan time.



After warming up, in stroke practice, I hit a stretchy forehand, and in serve practice, I hit the course while checking the feel.



Mr. Osaka had a concentrated look from beginning to end in preparation for the match against the former Queen, who has won the four major tournaments 23 times, but there were also scenes where he smiled after practice.



The match between Osaka and Williams has been 2 wins and 1 loss for Osaka, and three years ago in the four major tournaments, Osaka won the 2018 US Open final and won his first victory.



The semi-finals of the Australian Open Women's Singles will be held after noon on the 18th of Japan time, and NHK will announce it on the general TV sub-channel from noon.

Resuming acceptance of spectators by lifting restrictions on going out

At the Australian Open venue, the measures taken until the 17th due to the infection of the new coronavirus in the area were lifted, and the spectators began to enter again from the 18th.



The tournament, which began on the 8th of this month, was held at a quarantine hotel for immigrants in Melbourne, where it was confirmed that the mutant virus had spread in the United Kingdom, and restrictions on going out were introduced throughout the state. It was switched to.



Organizers have begun accepting spectators again on the 18th, up to about half the capacity of the venue, following the lifting of state restrictions on the 17th.



On the 18th, when the gate of the venue opened at 10 am local time, people who were looking forward to the game visited immediately, but due to restrictions on going out, traffic to and from other states was restricted, so the locals The audience from Melbourne stood out.



A 74-year-old woman said, "I'm very happy that the spectators are back in and I think it's good for the players."



In addition, a 19-year-old woman who is supporting Naomi Osaka said, "Because infection measures are taken, you can watch the game with confidence. I want you to beat Naomi Osaka today." ..