Karolina Pliskova (zimbio.com)

This week’s Western and Southern Open will be a stern test for top seed Karolina Pliskova with a total of five players in contention of the world No.1 ranking.

In the wake of Serena Williams’ absence, the WTA Tour has become an open field for many. 25-year-old Pliskova climbed to the top of the rankings last month, becoming the first Czech player to do so. Last week she began her US hard court season with a run to the quarter-finals in Toronto, losing in three sets to Caroline Wozniacki.

Now set to play in Cincinnati, the pressure is mounting on Pliskova. In a rare occurrence, four other players could end the week as world No.1. Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Wozniacki are all within contention.

“Nothing has changed. I have a big responsibility. I’ll do everything as I have before,” Pliskova said. “I do think it’s a huge thing but I don’t want to do anything just because of the rankings.
“I don’t try to behave differently. I try not to see the pressure.”

Should Halep win the title this week, she would reclaim the top spot. The Romanian has previously been on the verge of becoming No.1, but has never been able to get there. The Most notable was in the French Open final when she fell to Jelena Ostapenko. It is perhaps for this reason why she is playing down her chances.

“I hope to make that position one day, but I don’t want to think about that. If it happens, I’ll be the happiest person, but I still have to work harder.” Said Halep.

Halep’s preparation for Cincinnati has been far from ideal. Travelling from Canada, she opted to take a six-hour drive after experiencing a plane journey from hell.

“When I saw the plane the first time, I was scared,” Halep said. “It was too small. We had to stop in Buffalo for the (US) customs. I said that was enough.
“I was white. I felt I had no air. I said, ‘That’s enough for me.’ That plane was moving too much. I wanted to be safe on the ground.”

Svitolina’s rapid rise

Embed from Getty Images

At the age of 22, Elina Svitolina has already done something that no other player on the WTA had done before. Her win at the Rogers Cup was Svitolina’s third Premier 5 title of the season, a record for the tour. Overall, she has won more singles titles than any other player this year with five so far.

“It’s been a long journey and I still long journey ahead of me. I try to look only forward. There going to be lots of tough matches, tough tournaments.” Svitolina explained following her triumph in Montreal.

The Ukrainian can only become No.1 this week depending on the results of others. Not only does she need to at least reach this final this week. She needs Pliskova to lose her first match, Halep to go out before the semifinals and for Wozniacki to not win the title.

The former number ones

Embed from Getty Images

So far in 2017, Wozniacki has always been the bridesmaid, but never the bride on the tour. She has already contested in six finals, losing all of them in straight sets. It has been an agonising experience for Wozniacki and her fans, but the Dane is still a threat for her opponents to fear. Especially on the hard court’s, which is a surface she loves.

“I like that I can move well on it (a hard court). And usually it’s some somewhat fast, so I can use the speed of the court to my advantage as well.” Wozniacki explained.

Wozniacki has already spent a total of 67 weeks as the top player on the tour. A title in Cincinnati this week could add to that tally. Although, she would need Pliskova to lose her first match and for Halep to crash out prior to the semifinals.

“I was actually just really enjoying it.” She reflected about her time as world No.1. “It’s a dream come true. It’s something that I dreamed of since I was a little girl. And I was very lucky and fortunate and, obviously, worked hard to get there. I just enjoyed every moment.”

Angelique Kerber has an outside chance of rising to the top if a series of scenarios goes in her favour. The German is yet to defeat a top 10 player this year. To put this into perspective, she scored 12 wins in 2016.

“It’s completely different than it was last year,” Kerber told Cincinnati.com. “It’s all the first time for me, defending titles, being the No. 1 and also coming back to No. 1 and that was something I’ve learned (how to deal with) this year.”

To return back to the top, Kerber needs to win the title with Pliskova losing her first match, Halep crashing out before the semifinals and Svitolina failing to make the final. 

The world No.1 contenders this week in Cincinnati :- pic.twitter.com/uA19leCzcb

— Adam_Addicott (@tennisbanter) 15 August 2017