The Madrid Open draw has positioned defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a challenging top half alongside strong contenders like Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva, and Elina Svitolina. The WTA 1000 clay-court event at Caja Magica kicks off on Tuesday, with the women’s final set for May 2 at the Manolo Santana Stadium.
Sabalenka, a three-time Madrid champion, may face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round and potentially clash with Jasmine Paolini or Belinda Bencic in the quarter-finals. Swiatek, the 2024 champion, faces a tough route starting against a qualifier or Daria Kasatkina and could meet American talent Iva Jovic in the fourth round.
In the bottom half, Elena Rybakina leads a strong lineup including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and rising star Victoria Mboko. Rybakina, fresh from her Stuttgart victory, begins against Elena-Gabriela Ruse or Antonia Ruzic and could face Madison Keys in the fourth round.
The draw promises a fiercely contested tournament with top-tier talent and emerging stars gearing up for the clay-court season’s challenges.
