WTA Cincinnati draw: Emma Raducanu to opener against Serena Williams, Iga Swiatek threatens duel with Sloane Stephens
Another excellent field of participants at a WTA 1000 event: From Monday, the first 16 in the world rankings will all be in action in Cincinnati. Iga Swiatek is leading the field in Ohio, the draw has already revealed a number of top duels in round one.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Aug 13, 2022, 08:43 am
Of course, one duel in particular catches the eye when looking at the draw at the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati: that of the reigning US Open winner Emma Raducanu with Serena Williams, who made the last appearance of her career at the Western & Southern Open this year will deny. The next chunk awaits the winner of the first round cracker in round two: the winner of the duel between Kaia Kanepi and Victoria Azarenka.
Top seed at the WTA 1000 event goes to work Iga Swiatek. The Pole could face Sloane Stephens in round two, while Jelena Ostapenko is a possible round of 16 opponent. Coco Gauff or Garbine Muguruza could wait in the quarterfinals. The Spaniards could already face the newly crowned Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in round two.
Confederate number two
According to the seed list, Swiatek's possible opponents in the semifinals are Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian opens after a bye against Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Catherine McNally. Badosa is waiting for a qualifier and could face Simona Halep in round three. Jabeur's possible round of 16 opponent is Belinda Bencic, who had to bow out in Toronto in the quarterfinals.
Number two of the tournament in Cincinnati is Anett Kontaveit, who is waiting for a qualifier after a bye. Possible round of 16 opponents are Naomi Osaka (first round duel with Shuai Zhang) or Leylah Fernandez. In the quarterfinals it could go against Aryna Sabalenka. Also in the bottom half: Maria Sakkari (No. 4 of the tournament), Jessica Pegula (No. 7) and of course the duel between Emma Raducanu and Serena Williams.