The final WTA 500 event on clay in 2024 takes place at the Internationaux de Stransbourg. There is a superb entry list for the tournament. 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and this year’s Miami Open winner Danielle Collins are two of the top players set to feature at the event. However, five players have elected to withdraw from the Internationaux de Strasbourg. This article lists those who have withdrawn and then names their five replacements in the draw. We at LWOT also reported on players to withdraw from the ATP Geneva Open and the ATP Lyon Open.
Five Players Withdraw From The Internationaux de Strasbourg
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Jessica Pegula was the first player to withdraw from the Internationaux de Strasbourg. The American No. 2 has not played a WTA event since the Charleston Open at the start of April due to an injury. Although Pegula is back training again, it is not currently known if she will be back for the start of the French Open on May 26th.
Jasmine Paolini was the second player to withdraw from the Internationaux de Strasbourg. She progressed to the doubles final of her home tournament at the Italian Open, alongside Sara Errani. That achievement and the effort it took makes her decision not to play in France unsurprising.
Dayana Yastremska also withdrew from the tournament. The Ukrainian has largely struggled for form since her run to the Australian Open semifinal at the start of the year. She does not appear to have any injury problems and is just choosing to rest before the French Open.
Elise Mertens was the fourth player to withdraw from the Internationaux de Strasbourg. The five-time Grand Slam doubles champion suffered a heavy loss at the Italian Open to Irina-Camelia Begu. Mertens may feel she needs some extra time to refresh after that setback.
Linda Noskova was the final player to withdraw from the event. This year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist fell in the Round of 32 at the Italian Open to Qinwen Zheng. No official has been given for her decision not to play in Strasbourg.
Who Replaces Those Five Players In The Draw?
Anastasia Potapova benefits from Pegula’s decision to withdraw from the Internationaux de Strasbourg. The 23-year-old has had a mixed clay-court season far, with a 3-3 win/loss record on clay so far. She will hope to improve on that with a strong showing in France.
Katerina Siniakova replaces Paolini at the event. The highlight for her so far on clay this year was winning the WTA 125 tournament in Lleida, beating Mayar Sherif in the final. Siniakova is yet to find the same success at bigger WTA events, but she has a chance to change that.
Clara Burel is also set to feature at the Internationaux de Strasbourg after Yastremska’s withdrawal. The Frenchwoman played her best tennis on clay in previous seasons. However, she has only managed to win one WTA Tour contest on the dirt so far this season. Playing on home soil in Strasbourg could help her change those fortunes.
Xinyu Wang enters the draw at Mertens’ expense. The Chinese player has a 2-2 win/loss record on clay so far in 2024. Her match at the Italian Open against Beatriz Haddad Maia was very entertaining. Unfortunately, she ultimately lost it 6-4 3-6 4-6.
Finally, Magda Linette also avoided needing to play in qualifying, due to Noskova electing to withdraw. She started her 2024 clay-court season by reaching her first ever WTA final on the dirt in Rouen. Linette finished as the runner-up to Sloane Stephens, but that run demonstrated her ability on the surface.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
