Iga Swiatek's potential Wimbledon path includes Vondrousova, Ostapenko; Gauff draws Dolehide

Rybakina, Pegula and Jabeur all find themselves in the second quarter.

Published Jun 28, 2024

2023 Matches of the Year, No. 4: Svitolina d. Azarenka, Wimbledon R16

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If Marketa Vondrousova is to defend her Wimbledon title, the left-hander may have to go through world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the grass-court major.

On Friday morning, the women’s draw was revealed at the All England Club. Top-seeded Swiatek opens her campaign Tuesday against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, with sixth-seeded Vondrousova the highest-ranked player falling in an intriguing quarter.

The No. 13 seed Jelena Ostapenko, who owns a 4-0 record against Swiatek, is a potential fourth-round opponent for the Pole. The Latvian starts with two-time quarterfinalist Ajla Tomljanovic. The two met here three years ago in the third round, with the Australian prevailing in a deciding set.

Swiatek, a former junior champ at SW19, achieved her best showing in 2023 when she advanced to the last eight.

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Playing her final Wimbledon, No. 11 seed Danielle Collins could battle Vondrousova in the round of 16. The same goes for No. 20 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.

In the same half as Swiatek and Vondrousova is 2022 title holder Elena Rybakina. The No. 4 seed gets Elena-Gabriela Ruse to start. Rybakina’s projected quarterfinal opponent, No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula, drew fellow American Ashlyn Krueger.

The Kazakh could also get a rubber match with No. 10 seed Ons Jabeur. The Tunisian sent Rybakina packing in the last eight a year ago to avenge her 2022 title match defeat.

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Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka headlines the third quarter. Sabalenka faces Emina Bektas in the first round, with No. 28 Dayana Yastremska the first possible seed in her pathway.

Eighth seed Zheng Qinwen and ninth seed Maria Sakkari are also in this quarter, as is No. 24 seed Mirra Andreeva, who ousted Sabalenka in the Roland Garros quarterfinals. Andreeva features in a clash of 17-year-olds with Brenda Fruhvirtova.

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Gauff has zero points to defend, having fallen to Kenin in her 2023 opener.

At the bottom of the draw, No. 2 seed Coco Gauff faces countrywoman Caroline Dolehide in her opener Monday. Gauff leads three seeded Americans in this quarter, along with No. 12 Madison Keys and No. 19 Emma Navarro.

Navarro finds herself in a packed section that sees 16th seed Victoria Azarenka meet Sloane Stephens in the opening round. The winner of that contest could face off against 2021 finalist Karolina Pliskova if the former world No. 1 advances past Diana Shnaider. As for Navarro, Naomi Osaka looms as a potential second-round challenge.

Stay tuned for a full draw analysis and predictions from Steve Tignor.

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