There are two more clay court events on the WTA Tour next week. One of these tournaments is the WTA Prague Open, which has four Top 50 players on its entry list, including Australian Open quarterfinalist Linda Noskova and nine-time Grand Slam doubles champion Katerina Siniakova. Six players have also withdrawn from the tournament in Prague. This article lists the players who have elected not to play and then names their five replacements in the draw.
Six Players Withdraw From WTA Prague Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova was the first player to withdraw from the Prague Open. The Czech needing some extra recovery time from singles action is not surprising after her efforts in London. However, she will be playing doubles alongside Katerina Siniakova at the tournament. This is to prepare for their upcoming partnership at the Olympics.
Camila Osorio was the second player to withdraw from the Prague Open. This year’s champion in Bogota damaged an existing thigh injury during her second-round Wimbledon contest against Beatriz Haddad Maia, which forced her to retire from the match. The Colombian has yet to fully recover from that issue.
Daria Saville also withdrew from the event. The Australian’s last match was a grueling three-set loss to Marta Kostyuk in the second round of Wimbledon. Saville has been posting content on her Instagram page about her upcoming Olympics appearance, meaning her decision not to play in Prague is likely being made as a precaution.
Wang Xinyu was the fourth player to withdraw from the Prague Open. She created headlines with a run to the fourth round of Wimbledon, including a stunning victory against Jessica Pegula. Her time in London was eventually ended by Elina Svitolina, who split with her coach Raemon Sluiter after the tournament.
Renata Zarazua and Saisai Zheng were the other two players to withdraw.
Who Replaces Those Six Players in the Draw?
Krejcikova’s withdrawal gives Suzan Lamens an opportunity at the Prague Open. She had a good run to the quarterfinal at her last event in Budapest before losing to eventual finalist Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Dutchwoman will hope to replicate that form in the Czech Republic.
Astra Sharma benefits from Osorio’s decision to withdraw from the Prague Open. The Australian also carries some solid form heading into the tournament. She made the quarterfinal in Palermo, losing a close match at that stage to the French Open runner-up Karolina Muchova.
Sara Bejlek replaces Saville on the Prague Open entry list. The talented 18-year-old showed her ability on clay with an impressive run to the fourth round of the Madrid Open this year, where she lost to the 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Eva Lys is also set to feature. She progressed to the semifinal in Budapest, being stopped at that stage by the No. 1 seed Diana Shnaider. The German’s level was excellent in Hungary and she will be a tough matchup for anyone if she continues that level.
Jana Fett and Zeynep Sonemz were the other two players to come into the draw.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
