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. We will use ELO scores to determine each match result, and the top 300 players in particular will be in focus, with rankings changing depending on past tournaments as if in real life. This will impact future seedings, and try to be as realistic as possible. The first WTA tournament to be completed will be the Mexican Open, which will be run alongside the ATP Tour’s Indian Wells which was meant to be held in March.

FAVOURITE:

Shuai Peng (China)

The third seed is highly fancied on hard court and performed better than the two about her and earns the title as favourite in this 125K fantasy event. Ranked 103rd overall, Peng is a former top 20 player and while she is past her best at 34-years-old, she is always a strong contributor on the ITF circuit and lower ranking WTA Tour tournaments. She faces a few tricky players along the way and nothing is given at this level, but as one of a number of players rated over 1700 on the surface, she has to be one to watch.

CONTENDERS:

Anna Lena Friedsam (Germany)

The number six seed is the second highest ranked seed on the surface, and while there are no easy matches, she has a fairly favourable draw. A tough first round encounter with Viktorija Golubic will challenge the German, but she should win through to the last eight if she can do that, where she will potentially meet fourth seed, Greet Minnen.

Greet Minnen (Belgium)

The talented Belgian is growing in stature and has every right to make it through to the quarter finals, and possibly more. Doing well in these kinds of tournaments will push her into the top 100 and will be important for her confidence. A first round encounter with Shelby Rogers will be fascinating to watch, with teenager, Ann Li potentially there in the second round.

Xiyu Wang (China)

Speaking of young talents, Xiyu Wang has certainly caught the attention of those on the WTA Tour of late, and she is seeded here thanks to her recent form. She will be favourite to at least make the quarter finals but has the likes of Oceane Dodin and Mona Barthel standing in her way. Will only get better from here and one for the future.

ROUGHIE:

Aliaksandra Sasnovich (Belarus)

The top ranked player on the surface, Sasnovich is actually unseeded and takes on eighth seed, Vitalia Diatchenko in the first round. If the Belarusian can get past that battle, she has a couple of the major contenders in the bottom half of the draw including Shuai and Xiyu. If Sasnovich can build on past form and go deep in the tournament, a top 100 spot beckons.

DARK HORSE:

Viktorija Golubic (Switzerland)

There are plenty of potential dark horses in this draw, and Golubic is certainly that, even if she has a first up tough match against Friedsam. Golubic could well go out in the first round, but if she survives that, then expect her to reach the final eight with her draw. Always a challenging opponent, she will no doubt worry some players on this surface and be one to watch in this tournament.

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TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, April 14: Round of 32 1/2
Wednesday, April 15: Round of 32 1/2
Thursday, April 16: Round of 16
Friday, April 17: Quarter Finals
Saturday, April 18: Semi-finals
Sunday, April 19: Final