World No 1 Iga Swiatek has learned her projected path to defending her Stuttgart title.
Swiatek, seeded at No 1, has a first-round bye in Stuttgart.
After a first-round bye, Swiatek will likely play against 25th-ranked Qinwen Zheng the Stuttgart round-of-16.
In the Stuttgart quarterfinal, Swiatek is projected to play against eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari.
In the Stuttgart semifinal, Swiatek would likely meet either No 3 seed Ons Jabeur or sixth-seeded Elena Rybakina.
The projected Stuttgart final is between Swiatek and second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka.
Main draw in Stuttgart (WTA 500), where 9 of the Top 10 are in action. pic.twitter.com/ca6butS9C6
ā WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) April 16, 2023
Will we see a rematch of the 2022 Swiatek-Sabalenka Stuttgart final?
Swiatek, 21, debuted on the clay courts of Stuttgart last year.
In her first Stuttgart appearance, Swiatek made the final – in which she dismantled Sabalenka 6-2 6-2.
“I worked hard this week to adjust properly and to play my best tennis on this surface. Iām pretty proud of myself and pretty proud of my team because basically after yesterdayās match, it wasnāt easy to reset physically and mentally and be ready for today,” Swiatek said after winning Stuttgart last year.
In December, Swiatek was confirmed for the 2023 Stuttgart edition.
In her statement, Swiatek noted that she absolutely loved her first Stuttgart experience.
“I loved the atmosphere in Stuttgart last year and am looking forward to this one. I especially appreciate tournaments so close to Poland because my fans can support me on-site and it makes the atmosphere even better; so, Iām happy confirm Iām going to play there in 2023,” Swiatek said in a statement after signing up to compete in Stuttgart again this year,” Swiatek said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Swiatek is set to play for the first time in a month.
After losing in the Indian Wells semifinal to Rybakina, Swiatek pulled out of Miami due to a rib injury.
Swiatek took time to get healthy before the start of the clay season and she is definitely among the top favorites for the Stuttgart title.