The main draw for the Mutua Madrid Open was revealed on Sunday, marking the start of the WTA 1000 clay-court season.
The tournament features a strong lineup, with almost all of the Top 30 players participating, except for Barbora Krejcikova, who is absent due to injury.
Main draw matches begin on Tuesday, April 22nd. The top 32 seeded players will receive a first-round bye and commence their tournament on Thursday, April 24th.
First Quarter
Top seeds: [1] Aryna Sabalenka, [8] Zheng Qinwen, [9] Paula Badosa, [15] Amanda Anisimova
Notable first rounds: Emma Raducanu vs. Suzan Lamens; Veronika Kudermetova vs. Polina Kudermetova
Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time Madrid champion, leads this quarter and is in excellent form on clay, having recently reached the Stuttgart final. In Madrid, Sabalenka will begin against a qualifier and could potentially face Amanda Anisimova in the Round of 16. Anisimova has a favorable head-to-head record against Sabalenka and won the Doha WTA 1000 title earlier this year.
Paula Badosa, seeded No. 9, is also in this quarter, but her participation is uncertain due to a lower back injury. If she competes, she is set to play against one of the Kudermetova sisters in the second round. Veronika and Polina Kudermetova are scheduled for their first WTA match in the opening round.
Zheng Qinwen, seeded No. 8, is positioned at the bottom of this quarter. Her recent clay performance includes winning an Olympic gold medal at Roland Garros.
Second Quarter
Top seeds: [3] Jessica Pegula, [6] Jasmine Paolini, [10] Elena Rybakina, [14] Daria Kasatkina, [17] Elina Svitolina
Notable first rounds: Victoria Azarenka vs. Olga Danilovic; McCartney Kessler vs. Bianca Andreescu
Jessica Pegula, ranked No. 3, is the top seed in this quarter and will play either Eva Lys or a qualifier in her first match. A rematch of the 2022 Madrid final against Ons Jabeur is possible in this section. Pegula leads the tour in match wins this year, though she was recently defeated by Ekaterina Alexandrova, who could be a Round of 16 opponent in Madrid.
Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, seeded No. 6 and No. 10 respectively, could face off in the Round of 16. Elina Svitolina, seeded No. 17 and fresh off a win in Rouen, is also a player to watch in this quarter.
Victoria Azarenka and Olga Danilovic, the runner-up in Rouen, are set for a compelling first-round match in this quarter.
Third Quarter
Top seeds: [4] Coco Gauff, [7] Mirra Andreeva, [12] Karolina Muchova, [16] Beatriz Haddad Maia
Mirra Andreeva, seeded No. 7, is the highest seed in this section. She is aiming for her third WTA 1000 title this year. Madrid holds special significance for Andreeva, as she made her breakthrough here two years ago. She will face either Renata Zarazua or Marie Bouzkova in the second round.
Coco Gauff, seeded No. 4, is positioned at the bottom of this quarter and may encounter tough opponents such as Clara Tauson and Belinda Bencic.
Fourth Quarter
Top seeds: [2] Iga Swiatek, [5] Madison Keys, [11] Emma Navarro, [13] Diana Shnaider
Notable first rounds: Naomi Osaka vs. Lucia Bronzetti; Katie Volynets vs. Petra Kvitova
Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2 and defending champion, is placed in the bottom quarter of the draw. Last year, she won her first Madrid title by defeating Sabalenka in the final. Swiatek might face Alexandra Eala in the second round, a player who recently defeated her in Miami. Following that, a potential Round of 16 match against Jelena Ostapenko looms, who has a perfect record against Swiatek, including a recent win in Stuttgart.
Petra Kvitova, a three-time Madrid champion, is also in this section as she continues her comeback. She will play Katie Volynets in the first round.
Madison Keys, seeded No. 5 and the only Grand Slam champion this year in this section, could face Naomi Osaka in the second round, provided Osaka wins her first match.
Rupert Caldwell