WTA Madrid Open 2021: Women’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Prediction
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WTA Madrid Open 2021
WTA Madrid Open 2021 will commence from March 29, and will be the first 1000 event to be played on clay-courts. Kiki Bertens is the defending champion, after she won the title in 2019. The tournament was cancelled in 2020, owing to the covid-19 pandemic.
Ashleigh Barty enters the tournament as the top seed. Naomi Osaka makes her return to tennis, after her quarterfinal loss at the Miami Open 2021. Simona Halep, runner-up at the last edition of the tournament, is the third seed this year.
Tournament Details:
- Tournament: WTA Madrid Open 2021
- Date: April 29 to May 8, 2021
- Number of Entrants: 64 (Singles), 32(Doubles)
- Venue: Madrid, Spain
- Surface: Clay Court
- Prize Money: $2,614,465.
- Defending champion: Kiki Bertens
Top Seeds at the ATP Munich 2021
- Ashleigh Barty
- Naomi Osaka
- Simona Haleo
- Elina Svitolina
Women’s Draw: Preview and Prediction
Top Half
The top half of the draw has several interesting matchups on offer. Ashleigh Barty, top seed at the tournament is on collision course with the French Open 2020 champion, Iga Swiatek in the third round. Kiki Bertens, the defending champion has a tough draw as she is expected to Veronika Kudermetova in the second round. In the third round, she can face Petra Kvitova. If she does manage to get past the last 16, she is expected to face Ashleigh Barty in the quarterfinals. However, it is expected that Petra Kvitova will progress into the last 8 of the tournament she won in 2018.
Elins Svitolina has a relatively straightforward draw, with her biggest test coming against Johanna Konta in the third round. However, the Ukrainian is a good player on clay courts, and should progress into the last 8. Garbine Muguruza opens her campaign against French Open 2018 runner-up, Sloane Stephens, with a potential clash against Ons Jabeur in the second round. The Spaniard is expected to reach the quarterfinals in Madrid.
1st Quarterfinal: Ashleigh Barty vs Petra Kvitova
2nd Quarterfinal: Elina Svitolina vs Garbine Muguruza
Bottom Half
The bottom half sees a potential clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka in the third round in an all-Belarusian clash. Sabalenka is expected to emerge victorious in an intriguing clash and progress into the quarterfinals. Simona Halep has an easy draw, and should manage to reach the last 8, without any problem.
Karolina Pliskova and Coco Gauff clash against each other in the first round of the Madrid Open. Pliskova has had a poor start to the year, but is expected to do well in Madrid. The sixth seed can be expected to face Jelena Ostapenko in the third round, and is a strong contender to reach the last 8. Naomi Osaka is likely to face Maria Sakkari in the third round. The Greek beat Osaka at the Miami Open quarterfinals, and she will hope to avenge her loss.
3rd Quarterfinal: Aryna Sabalenka vs Simona Halep
4th Quarterfinal: Naomi Osaka vs Karolina Pliskova
Quarterfinals
The first quarterfinal will feature Ashleigh Barty and Petra Kvitova. The world number one has been in great form in the past month, winning two titles. Barty is expected to emerge victorious in a thrilling three set affair. Garbine Muguruza is a dominant player on clay courts, and will get the better of Elina Svitolina in the last 8 clash.
In the third quarterfinal, Simona Halep will defeat Aryna Sabalenka in a battle of two-hard hitters of the ball. The Romanian will just edge out Sabalenka in a three set battle. In the 4th quarterfinal, Naomi Osaka will clash against Karolina Pliskova. The Japanese will secure a straight sets victory and progress into the semifinals.
1st Semifinal: Ashleigh Barty vs Garbine Muguruza
2nd Semifinal: Simona Halep vs Naomi Osaka
Semifinals
Ashleigh Barty and Garbine Muguruza will engage in a thrilling semifinal clash. The match can go either way, but Barty is expected to emerge victorious in three sets. Simona Halep will end Naomi Osaka’s run in Madrid in the other semifinals, as she reaches her second successive finals in Madrid.
Final: Simona Halep vs Ashleigh Barty
WTA Madrid Open 2021: Final
Simona Halep will lift the title in Madrid, after an intense battle with Ashleigh Barty in the finals. The Romanian is a terrific player on clay courts, having won the French Open title in 2018. This will also be her first title of the season, as she ends Barty’s unbeaten streak.
To Lift the Title: Simona Halep
Also Read: ATP Munich 2021: Men’s Singles Draw Preview, Analysis and Prediction for BMW Open
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Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)