Madrid Open Women’s Draw Confirmed With Top Seed Radwanska Facing A Tough Opening Test - UBITENNIS
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Madrid Open Women’s Draw Confirmed With Top Seed Radwanska Facing A Tough Opening Test

By Adam Addicott
3 Min Read
The Caga Magica (source: abc.es)

The women’s draw has taken place for the 8th Premier Mandatory Madrid Open at the Caja Magica.

The tournament has suffered a blow after world No.1 Serena Williams announced her withdrawal from the event due to illness. Replacing Williams at the top of the draw will be Agnieszka Radwanska, who will be bidding to win her first Premier title on clay. In the her first round match, the world No.2 faces a tricky encounter with former Australian Open finalist Dominika Cibulkova. Radwanska battled past the Slovakian earlier this year at the BNP Paribas Open, clinching the deciding set 7-5. Further on in the draw, the Polish player could face this year’s Australian Open semifinalist Johanna Konta and 15th seed Sara Errani before the quarterfinals.

Angelique Kerber’s section also consists of potentially dangerous opponents for the second seed. Starting her campaign against Czech Republic’s Barbora Strýcová, the world No.3 in on course to play Madison keys in round two followed by a potential showdown with 16th seed Sloane Stephens, who recently won her maiden WTA title on the clay in Charleston, USA.

Carrying the hopes of the home crowd will be Garbine Muguruza, who could play Eugenie Bouchard in the second round. She will start her Madrid journey against Anna Karolína Schmiedlová, a player who she has beaten in straight sets on three previous occasions. Other seeded players in Muguruza’s draw include Karolina Pliskova (a potential third round opponent) and sixth seed Simona Halep (possible quarterfinal opponent).

Victoria Azarenka will be hoping to continue her unbeaten streak of 12 matches in her first clay court event of the season. The fourth seed has already won a trio of titles this year, including back-to-back trophies in Indian Wells and Miami. The entertaining Belarusian has been handed a relatively straightforward opening match against Laura Robson, who is currently on a comeback from injury. Azarenka may then face Alize Cornet and 14th seed Ana Ivanovic in her route to the last eight. Azarenka hasn’t played Ivanovic since 2014 but has a win-loss record of 6-4 against the Serbian. If all goes to plan, she could face defending champion Petra Kvitova in the eight in what could be a blockbuster match. Kvitova will start against Spanish wildcard Lara Arruabarrena.

Other notable first round matches includes Andrea Petkovic vs 10th seed Timea Babos and Carla Suarez Navarro (8) Vs Timea Babos.

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