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The women's singles draw for the 2024 Western & Southern Open (August 11-19) was unveiled on Saturday, August 10. We are in for a week of high-octane tennis action.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the top seed at the WTA 1000 tournament. The reigning French Open champion will aim to secure her sixth title of the season as she begins her campaign.
Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini round up the top five seeds. Each of these players poses a significant channel and could easily thwart the Pole's quest.
There are many exciting first-round matches lined up, including Emma Navarro vs Mirra Andreeva, Katie Boulter vs Magda Linette, Karolina Muchova vs Dayana Yastremska, Donna Vekic vs Beatriz Haddad Maia, Anna Kalinskaya vs Katerina Siniakova, and Peyton Stearns vs Paula Badosa.
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With that in mind, let's dive into how the women's singles draw of the 2024 Western & Southern Open might unfold over the next seven days.
Top Half: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jelena Ostapenko make for interesting draw
Seeded Players: (1) Iga Swiatek, (3) Aryna Sabalenka, (5) Jasmine Paolini, (8) Jelena Ostapenko, (10) Liudmila Samsonova, (11) Emma Navarro, (14) Victoria Azarenka, (15) Marta Kostyuk
Dark Horse: Mirra Andreeva
Analysis: Top seed Iga Swiatek is in this half of the draw and will begin her campaign in the second round, where she could face either Ajla Tomljanovic or a qualifier, having received a first-round bye. She has had a great season so far, winning five titles alongside a bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics in women's singles. She defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the French capital.
In the following round, the World No. 1 might face Marta Kostyuk or Linda Noskova before a potential quarterfinal clash with Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva or Emma Navarro. Given the Pole's impressive form this season, she should have little difficulty advancing to the semifinals.
The other side of this half features former Grand Slam champions such as Aryna Sabalenka, Jelena Ostapenko and Victoria Azarenka. While the likes of Elina Svitolina, Katie Boulter and Bianca Andreescu could pose a threat, a semifinal showdown between Sabalenka and Ostapenko remains highly likely.
While predicting the winner is challenging, the odds could lean towards Sabalenka. Despite her recent return from injury, she has displayed a strong showing at the Canadian Open, reaching the quarterfinals, where she lost to eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova. Ostapenko is also strong, but the Belarusian appears better positioned to secure a spot in the semifinals and lift her second trophy of the season in Cincinnati.
A semifinal between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka would be exciting, as they are each other's biggest rivals. However, with the World No. 1 holding an 8-3 head-to-head lead, she might have the upper hand and reach the final.
Semifinal Prediction: Iga Swiatek def. Aryna Sabalenka
Bottom Half: Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula & Zheng Qinwen look to challenge defending champion Coco Gauff
Seeded Players: (2) Coco Gauff, (4) Elena Rybakina, (6) Jessica Pegula, (7) Zheng Qinwen, (9) Daria Kasatkina, (12) Ons Jabeur, (13) Anna Kalinskaya, (16) Donna Vekic
Expected Semifinal: Coco Gauff vs Jessica Pegula
Dark Horse: Paula Badosa
Analysis: This half of the draw features second seed and defending champion Coco Gauff, who will begin her campaign in the second round against either Yulia Putintseva or a qualifier, thanks to a first-round bye.
Although the American's form has been somewhat inconsistent lately, she should still be able to navigate past potential opponents like Anna Kalinskaya, Peyton Stearns, or Paula Badosa to reach the quarterfinals of the 2024 Western & Southern Open.
Here, Gauff will likely face Zheng Qinwen, who will enter the tournament fresh off a singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The Chinese beat Croatia's Donna Vekic to reign supreme in the Games. Former Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur and 2018 Australian Open winner Caroline Wozniacki are also potential opponents, a matchup with them seems less likely. If the American sensation plays at her best, she should be able to overcome Zheng and advance to the semifinals.
The other side of this half features four strong seeded players: Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Donna Vekic, and Daria Kasatkina. While all are capable of reaching the quarterfinals, Rybakina and Pegula will likely advance. Ultimately, it's the 30-year-old who is expected to set up a semifinal clash with her former doubles partner.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have played each other five times on the WTA Tour, with the latter holding a 4-1 head-to-head lead. Despite that, the 20-year-old, might come out on top and move closer to defending her title.
Semifinal Prediction: Coco Gauff def. Jessica Pegula
Cincinnati 2024: Final prediction
Iga Swiatek def. Coco Gauff
