First and foremost, the J&T Banka Ostrava Open is full of star stellar players. In its inaugural year it is jam packed with the top players from around the world. With just a few tournaments left in the women’s calendar, the players will look to play as much tennis as they can. Here are the top four seeded players for this magnificent event that will be held in the Czech Republic.
Elina Svitolina
First seed is the Ukrainian who will have a tough second round match in the tournament. She will either face Maria Sakkari or Kristyna Pliskova. She hasn’t faced the Czech yet, but it will be in interesting match, nonetheless. On the other hand, she has played the Greek player twice with both having a win over each other. Last time they met Sakkari won the at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in 2019.
No doubt Svitolina will want to end the year on a high note after a devastating loss in the quarter finals at this years Roland Garros. She has looked great this year winning two titles in two different surfaces.
Karolina Pliskova
Second seed is the Czech who comes from an early exit at the French Open, falling to Jelena Ostapenko. In this tournament, she will either face Donna Vekic or a qualifier in the second round. Being this a hard court event, it will suit Pliskova’s game as she has an amazing serve and has a heavy hitting style of play.
Additionally, the Czech continues to struggle at the majors and will try to end the year the best way that she can. She faces a tough draw in her section, but with her heavy hitting she looks like a heavy favorite. Also, she will be playing at home soil, this can boost her confidence a little more.
Aryna Sabalenka
Third seed is the Belorussian, who loves the hard surfaces as it suits her style of play. In her opening round, she will either face Katerina Siniakova or a qualifier. Sabalenka is a heavy favorite in this tournament and will look to back it up with her aggressive and hard hitting style of play. Her draw is a little more accessible, but it is still quite competitive.
Victoria Azarenka
Lastly, another Belorussian is the No. 4 seed and looks like a heavy favorite coming into this tournament. In her first match of the tournament, she will play a qualifier. She has looked great after play was suspended due to Covid-19. She looks great, happy, and in form. Although, she comes from a disappointing French Open, but will look to dust it off and end the year on a high note.
Clearly, hard courts are where she has produced her best game. This year she won the Cincinnati Open and reached the final at the US Open. She is looking like a major threat and will try to demonstrate that the whole week to come.
Rest of Seeded Players
Furthermore, the rest of the seeded players are Petra Martic who is the fifth seed. She will face Jelena Ostapenko in her first match. The sixth seed is Elena Rybakina, who will face a qualifier in her first match of the tournament. Seventh seed is Elise Mertens who has a tough first round match. She will face Amanda Anisimova who is a great player and a major threat for the Belgian. The eight seed is Anett Kontaveit who will face Ekaterina Alexandrova. This is a more evenly match, but the Estonian has to be careful not to be surprised early in the tournament.
High Quality of Level
Above all, the high quality of level will be shown in every match since the beginning. Every major name player wants to play as much tennis as possible, which is why there are great matches from the get-go. Although, some big names withdrew from the tournament like Petra Kvitová, Kiki Bertens, Johanna Konta, and Garbiñe Muguruza. Even without these players, the tournament promises to be great. Expect every match to be evenly matched, and of course expect surprises as there are quality players in the tournament. Some dark horses in the tournament are Jennifer Brady, Ons Jabeur, Dayana Yastremska, Donna Vekic and Karolína Muchová. No doubt this year’s Ostrava Open will be great and full of entertainment.
Main Photo from Getty.
