The draw for the Mutua Madrid Open was released on Sunday, marking the start of the WTA 1000 clay-court season.
The tournament features a strong lineup, including 29 of the top 30 players. Barbora Krejcikova is absent due to injury.
Main draw matches begin on Tuesday, April 22nd. Seeded players will start their tournament on Thursday, April 24th.
Draw Highlights
First Quarter
Top seeds: [1] Aryna Sabalenka, [8] Zheng Qinwen, [9] Paula Badosa, [15] Amanda Anisimova
Notable first rounds: Emma Raducanu vs. Suzan Lamens; Veronika Kudermetova vs. Polina Kudermetova
Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time Madrid champion, leads this quarter and is in good form on clay after reaching the Stuttgart final. She might face Amanda Anisimova in the Round of 16. Anisimova has a 5-2 head-to-head record against Sabalenka.
Paula Badosa is also in this quarter, but her participation is uncertain due to a back injury. If she plays, she could face a Kudermetova sister in the second round. Veronika and Polina Kudermetova will play their first WTA match against each other in the first round.
Zheng Qinwen, the No. 8 seed, is at the bottom of this quarter. She recently won an Olympic gold medal on clay at Roland Garros.
Second Quarter
Top seeds: [3] Jessica Pegula, [6] Jasmine Paolini, [10] Elena Rybakina, [14] Daria Kasatkina, [17] Elina Svitolina
Notable first rounds: Victoria Azarenka vs. Olga Danilovic; McCartney Kessler vs. Bianca Andreescu
Jessica Pegula, ranked No. 3, is the top seed in this quarter and could face Ons Jabeur in a rematch of the 2022 Madrid final. Pegula has won the most tour-level matches this year. Ekaterina Alexandrova, who defeated Pegula in Stuttgart, is a potential Round of 16 opponent.
Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina could meet in the Round of 16. Elina Svitolina, fresh off a win in Rouen, is also in this section. Victoria Azarenka and Olga Danilovic will play in the first round.
Third Quarter
Top seeds: [4] Coco Gauff, [7] Mirra Andreeva, [12] Karolina Muchova, [16] Beatriz Haddad Maia
Mirra Andreeva, the No. 7 seed, is at the top of this quarter. She is aiming for her third WTA 1000 title of the year. Andreeva made her breakthrough in Madrid two years ago, reaching the Round of 16. She will play either Renata Zarazua or Marie Bouzkova in the second round.
Coco Gauff is in the other part of this quarter and could face tough opponents like Clara Tauson and Belinda Bencic.
Fourth Quarter
Top seeds: [2] Iga Swiatek, [5] Madison Keys, [11] Emma Navarro, [13] Diana Shnaider
Notable first rounds: Naomi Osaka vs. Lucia Bronzetti; Katie Volynets vs. Petra Kvitova
Iga Swiatek, the defending champion and world No. 2, is in this quarter. She may face Alexandra Eala in the second round, a player who defeated her in Miami. If Swiatek advances, Jelena Ostapenko, who recently beat Swiatek in Stuttgart, is a potential Round of 16 opponent. Ostapenko has a 6-0 record against Swiatek.
Petra Kvitova, a three-time Madrid champion, is also in this section and will play Katie Volynets in the first round. Madison Keys, the No. 5 seed, could face Naomi Osaka in the second round if Osaka wins her first-round match.
