Naomi Osaka Honors Breonna Taylor with Face Mask and Dominates US Open Opener

On Monday night, Naomi Osaka made quite the statement as she walked onto the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The tennis champ wore a black face mask that had Breonna Taylor’s name on it, again raising awareness to seek justice.

Taylor, the 26-year-old black woman who was shot and killed by police in Louisville in March, was the first as Osaka tries to keep the fight for racial equality and social justice in the spotlight. She will get to wear all six if she reaches the final, taking the first step Monday night.

The No. 4 seed went the distance to fend off Misaki Doi 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in her first-round match at the U.S. Open. The 2018 champion said after the match that she has six more masks with six different names on them. Breonna Taylor being the first of six out the gate.

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