WTA Rome: Simona Halep Given Tough Path As Svitolina Looks To Defend Title - UBITENNIS
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WTA Rome: Simona Halep Given Tough Path As Svitolina Looks To Defend Title

By Tony Fairbairn
3 Min Read
Simona Halep (zimbio.com)

Simona Halep has been given a tough draw in Rome as she and many others look to dethrone defending champion, Elina Svitolina.

The current world number one will begin her campaign in Rome against either Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka or Victoria Azarenka. In later rounds, last year’s finalist could then face the likes of Madison Keys and 7th seed Caroline Garcia, who reached the Semi-Finals in Madrid this week.

The other quarter in the top half of the draw sees 3rd seed Garbine Muguruza and 5th seed Jelena Ostapenko face each other in a potential Quarter-Final. The Spaniard, who reached the last four last year will face either Daria Gavrilova or Cici Bellis in her first match, with Ashleigh Barty or Maria Sharapova potentially awaiting in the third round. While the reigning Roland Garros champion will play either Shuai Zhang or Mihaela Buzarnescu in her first match as the winner of Petra Kvitova’s match against Johanna Konta potentially facing the Latvian in the third round.

The bottom half of the draw sees the 4th seed and defending champion, Elina Svitolina, where she will begin her defence of her title against either Lesia Tsurenko or Petra Martic. The Ukrainian has been handed a dangerous third round opponent though as 14th seeded Russian, Daria Kasatkina could await in the last 16. Also in this section of the draw is in-form Karolina Pliskova and a returning Angelique Kerber, who faces Ekaterina Makarova in the first round.

The final and arguably weakest section of the draw sees second seed Caroline Wozniacki, who will be looking to improve on her second round exit in Madrid as she will face Sam Stosur or a qualifier in her first match. Should she get through that match then either Anastasija Sevastova or Kristina Mladenovic could await in the third round. The final top eight seed is Venus Williams, who is joined by Anett Kontaveit and Coco Vandeweghe in her section of the draw.

Here is the full draw, with first round matches kicking off this Sunday:

 

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