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 Madrid Open, which was meant to be held in May, and with fantasy matches set to begin on Saturday it is shaping up to be an interesting tournament.

FAVOURITE

Petra Kvitova (CZE)

The Czech talent is one of the most consistent and threatening names in the world, and while she comes into the Madrid Open as twelfth seed, the 30-year-old will still be a quality opposition – especially considering her winning rate here, boasting three Madrid titles in 2011, 2015 and 2018. With a powerful left hand and ability to cross the court with ease, Kvitova is someone who can never be underestimated and after just missing out on the Prague final will be biting at the chance for another title.

CONTENDERS

Simona Halep (ROU)

The Romanian comes into this tournament with not the greatest consistency this year to go off but with two back-to-back titles here in 2016/17 making her a real chance of taking this one out. The second seed has a wealth of unseeded talent in her draw, and while she may not have to take on those names who are known to regularly win big against quality opposition there are a few who have the ability to fly under the radar and turn the tables on the competition.  

Ash Barty (AUS)

The world number one may not be on her preferred surface but has proven in recent tournaments that she is good enough to beat even the toughest claycourter on her day. With a couple previous unpredicted successful tournaments on clay Barty will be a tough contender but she does have Kvitova in her way of heading to the semi-finals, meaning she will need to ready herself for a threatening opposition in order to make it through.

Elina Svitolina (UKR)

The Ukrainian 25-year-old comes into Madrid as the reigning Prague champion, looking to go back to back in title wins for the year and will be a very tough battle given her recent form and competitive nature. With plenty of speed and resilience, the third seed has a couple of quality names in her quarter of the draw which she certainly does have the drive to beat, meaning she could very well go all the way to the end just through her consistency.

ROUGHIE

Garbine Muguruza (ESP)

The Spaniard comes into this tournament with two titles under her belt this year, both coming on clay with the 26-year-old clinching some good wins this year so far. The ninth seed has a couple of difficult names in her quarter of the draw, with recent titleholder Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Karolina Pliskova both in her way of a semi-finals appearance. That being said, Muguruza has the ability to defeat anyone on her day, making her a real chance if she gets through the early stages.

DARK HORSE

Iga Swiatek (POL)

A stellar young talent, Swiatek has all the potential but a very tough draw here at Madrid with a couple of massive threats in her way – namely Barty and Kvitova – who could well and truly cut her tournament short. That being said, the now 19-year-old has impressed recently with her ability to shock opposition and force errors, meaning she could be a real force to be reckoned with if she can up her game and push through those quality names in the draw.