NOW the 2020 WTA Roland Garros fantasy tennis tournament is done and dusted, attention turns to Nottingham for the Nature Valley Open. Whilst there are plenty of young up and comers taking to the grass for the first time this year, there are also five top 20 players, led by top seed, Petra Kvitova.

FAVOURITE:

Petra Kvitova (CZECH REPUBLIC)

The number one seed had a really successful clay court season and will be looking to back it up here with a strong grass court preparation leading into Wimbledon. The number one seed is the clear tournament favourite and one to beat, hoping to take over from last year’s winner, Caroline Garcia. She takes on qualifier Elena Gabriela Ruse in the first round, before a likely encounter with solid grass court player Coco Vandeweghe. She has a relatively softer draw otherwise, and should take out the title here if she plays to her best.

CONTENDERS:

Belinda Bencic (SUI)

The Swiss number three seed is strong on grass and deserves what would be arguable second favouritism. She encounters up and coming Spaniard, Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first round, before an almost certain clash with last year’s winner, Garcia in the second round. A quarter final against Maria Sakkari and semi-final against Donna Vekic makes it a tough road to the final, but the Swiss young star is more than capable.

Petra Martic (CRO)

The fourth seed landed in the easier half of the draw, avoiding a lot of the top quality grass court players. Martic eases in with a clash against Serbian wildcard, Ivana Jorovic in the opening round, before arguably one of the toughest second round games for the seeds facing either Julia Goerges or Kristina Mladenovic. If Martic can survive that, expect her to meet Kvitova in the semi-finals in what would be a blockbuster match.

Donna Vekic (CRO)

There are no shortages of Croatian talent heading to Nottingham, and it is easy to see why Vekic would be a strong chance here. She is pretty strong on the grass compared to clay, and she warms up against British wildcard Naiktha Bains in the first round. Realistically she should make it to at least the final eight where she expects to face second seed Bianca Andreescu, and from there it gets tough. Vekic will hope to start her grass court season off on the right note with a deep finish in England.

ROUGHIE:

Caroline Garcia (FRA)

The reigning champion can never be discounted at a tournament, and while she is unseeded in Nottingham – she was seeded one here 12 months ago – Garcia knows what it takes to go all the way. The Frenchwoman has a tougher draw in 2020, and there will be no easy games in the run to the final and trying to defend her title. She takes on American Jennifer Brady in the first round, then third seed Belinda Bencic in the Round of 16. With Sakkari, Vekic and Kvitova the highest ranked opponents on her run to the final, she will need to be at her absolute best to survive.

DARK HORSE:

Tatjana Maria (GER)

There are plenty of talented underrated players at Nottingham, but the German up and comer is one who could really bolster her ranking over the grass court season. She is currently ranked 102 in the world, but is mid-table when it comes to the competitors at this event. If she can notch up a few wins she can leap up the order, and it all starts with a first round match against Australian qualifier, Astra Sharma. Maria could face fifth seed Dayana Yastremska in the second round, with Martic and Kvitova also along the way, but watch out for Maria who could be a big improver over the next month.