The draw for the WTA 1,000 of the Mutua Madrid Open did not smile this Tuesday at Garbiñe Muguruza, who will debut on Thursday or Friday against a Grand Slam champion, the American Sloane Stephens, winner of the US Open in 2017. The Spanish is also on the side of the table of the number one in the world, Ashleigh Barty, and if she goes to the second round she could meet the Tunisian Ons Jabeur.
While it is true that Stephens, 28, is not in her prime (she is currently 51st), the start is not easy for Muguruza. Much less for Sara Sorribes, who will play with an invitation against a former leader of the ranking and winner of two majors, Simona Halep. Paula Badosa will face a more affordable rival, Czech doubles player Barbora Krejcikova.
What will the path to glory look like for the favorites?
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On the way to Muguruza from the second round, the Swiss Belinda Bencic, in the eighth, the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, in the quarterfinals, and the Australian would be ranked. Barty, in the semifinals before a hypothetical final against the number two, the Japanese Naomi Osaka. Hard as usual.
In the opening days of the tournament, high-level matches will be seen, in addition to Muguruza-Stephens. Barty, recent champion in Stuttgart, will start her career against the American Shelby Rogers. Her compatriot Alison Riske will oppose the Polish Iga Swiatek. Czech Pliskova will face American Coco Gauff. And the Greek Maria Sakkari will meet the other pearl of the United States, Amanda Anisimova.