Cincinnati Masters 2024: Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction featuring Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka

World No.1 Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff headline the Western and Southern Open, which gets underway on August 14 in Cincinnati.


Cincinnati Masters 2024: Women’s Singles Draw Preview and Prediction featuring Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka

Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka (via Imago)

Following the exciting action at the National Bank Open, the women will continue their lead-up to the US Open at the Western & Southern Open, also known as the Cincinnati Open, which gets underway on August 14. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will be the center of attention as she plays her first tournament since winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Given the current form of defending champion Coco Gauff, Swiatek could be the player to beat in Cincinnati. The American crashed out in the Round of 16 at the National Bank Open on Saturday (August 10th), but she had already set low expectations before the tournament.

Tournament Details

  • Tournament: Cincinnati
  • Date: August 14 – August 19, 2024
  • No. of Entrants: 64 (Singles)
  • Venue: The Western and Southern Open, Cincinnati.
  • Surface: Outdoor Hard Court
  • Total Prize Money Pool: $3,211,715
  • Defending Champion: Coco Gauff

Top Seeds at Cincinnati

  • Iga Swiatek
  • Coco Gauff
  • Aryna Sabalenka
  • Elena Rybakina
  • Jasmine Paolini
  • Jessica Pegula
  • Qinwen Zheng
  • Jelena Ostapenko

Cincinnati 2024 Draw Preview

Round of 64 predictions for Cincinnati

The Round of 64 at Cincinnati features many exciting matches. Emma Navarro is set to battle Mirra Andreeva, Katie Boulter will lock horns with Magda Linette, and Karolina Muchova will face Dayana Yastremska.

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Emma Navarro
Emma Navarro (image via IMAGO)

Additionally, Donna Vekic will encounter Beatriz Haddad Maia, Anna Kalinskaya will play Katerina Siniakova, and Peyton Stearns is set to face Paula Badosa. This sets the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.

Round of 32 predictions for Cincinnati

Once the first rounds are over, the top seeds will settle in and look to display their dominance. They need this desperately, considering most are still transitioning from the clay courts of Paris to the hard courts of North America.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (Via Imago)

Iga Swiatek is likely to play Linda Noskova in the Round of 32. However, the bottom half of the draw could feature an exciting match between Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa. Given the Spaniard’s title win in Washington last week, many would back her to add to the woes of the defending champion in Cincinnati.

Round of 16 predictions for Cincinnati

Iga Swiatek could face Elise Mertens in a highly anticipated Round of 16 match. They recently played in Stuttgart, where the World No. 1 won 6-3, 6-4.

Iga Swiatek (3)
Iga Swiatek (Image via Imago)

On the other side of the draw, there could be another quality clash between Qinwen Zheng and Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian is currently on a three-match losing streak and hasn’t played in the Paris Olympics.

Quarterfinals predictions for Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Open will shift into box office mode in the quarterfinals. Iga Swiatek could potentially face fifth seed Jasmine Paolini. Additionally, Aryna Sabalenka might be up against Jelena Ostapenko in the last eight.

Qinwen Zheng
Qinwen Zheng (Image via Imago)

On the other side of the draw, Elena Rybakina could be set to clash with Jessica Pegula. Furthermore, the winner of the clash between Gauff and Badosa match may face Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng.

Semifinal predictions for Cincinnati

In the semifinals, Iga Swiatek could face Aryna Sabalenka for the third time in a Masters 1000 tournament. The Pole has previously played the Australian Open champion in the Madrid Open and Italian Open finals, winning both times.

Aryna Sabalenka Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in Rome

Additionally, Elena Rybakina might face Jessica Pegula. The American holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Rybakina, but they haven’t faced each other in 2024 so far.

Final predictions for Cincinnati

Considering the players in Iga Swiatek’s draw, she would be the safe bet to reach the final of the Western and Southern Open. Her biggest nemesis in 2024, Elena Rybakina, isn’t in her draw.

Donna Vekic(L), Qinwen Zheng(M), Iga Swiatek(R)
Donna Vekic(L), Qinwen Zheng(M), Iga Swiatek(R) (Via Imago)

However, there’s a strong possibility that the Pole could meet Qinwen Zheng in a rematch of this year’s semifinals at the Paris Olympics. The Chinese star dashed Swiatek’s hopes of an Olympic gold medal in Paris, and the Pole might be seeking instant revenge.

Winner Prediction: Iga Swiatek

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