AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Draft Central is extending the fantasy tennis coverage throughout the ATP and WTA seasons to simulate tournaments and see just how they might have gone down. The next WTA tournament to be completed will be the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, which was meant to be held in late April. 

FAVOURITE

Petra Kvitova (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The 2019 title-holder in Kvitova comes into this tournament as a hot favourite, especially after a stellar run at Charleston which just saw her fall at the final hurdle to world number one Ash Barty. But with Barty not competing in Stuttgart and a free pass to the second round, Kvitova is in with a solid chance to go far especially with only the one potential seed matchup prior to the semi-finals in compatriot, Karolina Pliskova. The left-hander comes into this with a fire in the belly and plenty to build on so will be a real task.

CONTENDERS

Karolina Pliskova (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The first seed here at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Pliskova is one of those names that you can never underestimate regardless of her current form or draw. With plenty of star power, Pliskova is a constant threat on serve with her hard-hitting and speed with which she traverses the court. Another past winner here, the Czech is a force to be reckoned with on any surface and will be a tough candidate to overthrow on any given day. 

Kiki Bertens (NETHERLANDS)

The clay court specialist has not had the success thus far that she would desire over the past few fantasy tournaments, but is a tough competitor at her worst so will be another consistent and threatening performer. With an aggressive forehand and baseline drive, Bertens is a tough competitor and will skip the first round thanks to her third seed position here, with majority unseeded names in her half of the draw. If all goes predictably, Bertens is likely to come up against grand slam winner and sixth seed Garbine Muguruza come quarter finals, making it an intriguing match-up if it does come to fruition, given Bertens beat Muguruza only days ago at Charleston.

Dayana Yastremska (UKRAINE)

20-year-old Yastremska is a high class talent already, able to ply her trade against plenty of higher ranked opposition. Coming off a stellar 2019, Yastremska is tough beat with her ability to push her opposition to the limit and be a constant threat. With one clay title under her belt already – the 2019 Internationaux de Strasbourg – Yastremska is sure to be building in confidence but will have to get past a quality opposition in grand slam champion Angie Kerber in the first round to really contest for this title. 

ROUGHIE

Yulia Putintseva (KAZAKHSTAN)

The 25-year-old Kazakh is another tough competitor, able to have a real impact and chip away at her opposition thanks to her never say die attitude. With just the one singles title to her name, Putintseva is one who will really want to prove herself after a solid run at Charleston, only going down to runner-up Kvitova in the quarter finals but defeating quality talent in Belinda Bencic and Serena Williams on her way, proving she is more than capable of defeating quality opposition, poking holes in their game play with her constant pressure.

DARK HORSE

Angelique Kerber (GERMANY)

With her return from injury imminent, Kerber will look to return in style at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The three time Grand Slam winner is a stellar player across all surfaces and while she may not have the Roland Garros under her belt yet, her two past Stuttgart titles are proof that she can take it all the way here in the lead up to the Slam. Much like others stepping out for the Tennis Grand Prix, Kerber will need to get over the line against quality opposition to be in with a chance for the title, especially with young talent in Naomi Osaka and Dayana Yastremska to beat if she wants to make it to finals. Another clay title is well within her repertoire with plenty of winning experience already, but it remains to be seen if her recent injury will hold her back.