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Mexican Open denies cancellation amid violence

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Mexican Open organisers say the tournament will go ahead despite violence following the death of the country’s most wanted drug baron.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho”, died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.

He was seriously injured in clashes between his supporters and the army in the central-western state of Jalisco on Sunday.

The Mexican Open starts on Monday in Acapulco, which is in Guerrero – one of five Mexican states where the US government has warned its citizens to shelter because of the violence.

The UK government has advised against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico, including Guerrero.

Britain’s Cameron Norrie is scheduled to play Spaniard Rafael Jodar in the first round on Monday.

Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful and feared criminal organisations in Mexico, have torched businesses and erected burning blockades since El Mencho’s death.

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The Mexican Open issued a statement saying “the supposed cancellation of the event due to security issues in Jalisco is false”.

It said: “The event continues as scheduled and tournament operations are proceeding normally.

“We remain in coordination and constant communication with federal, state, and municipal authorities, under the established security protocols.”

Britons Katie Boulter and Heather Watson are scheduled to compete in the Merida Open in Mexico this week.

The event takes place in the state of Yucatan, which does not appear to have been significantly affected by the violence.

The WTA said increased police presence and additional security measures have been put in place at the tournament following the incidents in Jalisco, which is about 1,000 km away.

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“The safety of players, staff, and spectators remains our top priority,” the women’s governing body told BBC Sport.

“The tournament is operating as scheduled and there have been no reports of incidents in the region.”

Boulter plays Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Monday and Watson faces Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Tuesday.

The Reuters news agency reported that four football matches in Mexico were postponed over the weekend.

The top-tier men’s match between Queretaro and FC Juarez and a women’s game between Chivas and America were postponed indefinitely, while two men’s second division matches scheduled for Sunday were called off.

A further match, between Necaxa and Queretaro in Aguascalientes, was suspended when players left the pitch after loud noises – reported in local media as gunshots – were heard outside the stadium, but the match resumed later.

The Mexican men’s team are scheduled to face Iceland on Wednesday in a friendly at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro.

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