CZECH Republic will play host to a brand new WTA Tour tournament designed to extend the season after the entire Asian season – including the WTA Finals – was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead what that means is this is arguably the last chance for many players to run out on court in a a top notch WTA Tour event and the world’s best players will descend on the Premier event.

While the top two in the world – Ash Barty and Simona Halep – will be out of the event, as will US Open winner Naomi Osaka, but the overall strength of the field is incredible considering it is not a Grand Slam event. Played on the hard courts of Ostrava, the 2020 J & T Banka Ostrava Open will run from October 19-25 with 28 competitors battling it out for half a million in USD.

In an unusual set of circumstances, the Ostrava Open sought, and received exemption from the nation-wide ban of indoor sports. Transforming a multi-purpose centre – which was most recently an ice hockey centre  – into a fully functioning indoor arena, there will be plenty of atmosphere at the event despite the restrictions. Unfortunately a few more players withdrew just prior to the event including Sofia Kenin, Petra Kvitova, Johanna Konta, Marketa Vondrousova, Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek and Kiki Bertens.

The home nation will naturally have great representation, led by second seed Karolina Pliskova, as well as Barbora Strycova, Kristyna Pliskova, Katerina Siniakova and Karolina Muchova who are all competing in the event.

Amongst the in-form players at the tournament, Belarussian duo Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka will look to make a statement, as will Ukrainian duo, Elina Svitolina and Dayana Yastremska.

Petra Martic is also there, whilst Elena Rybakina, Elise Mertens and Anett Kontaveit can never be ruled out of contention. Maria Sakkari, Jennifer Brady and Karolina Muchova are the other confirmed entries at this stage.

Second seed Pliskova might start as the favourite in the event, but her form has been inconsistent of late, with only a run to the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia amongst second round losses at both the US Open and Roland Garros. In fact, since her win at Brisbane and excluding Rome, Pliskova has a win-loss record of 6-6 this season which is a far shout from what a world number three should have.

The outside favourite should be Azarenka who has bolted all the way up to world number 14. Forgiving her second round shock loss to Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in Paris, the Belarusian dual Grand Slam winner has had eight top 30 wins since August 21, and went 15-1 at one stage on her way to the US Open final. Back on her beloved hard court, Azarenka is always a danger.

One thing is for sure, with only the Austrian Ladies tournament at Linz in mid-November between now and the traditional 125k event in Limoges, France, this is likely to be the last time we see the majority of the elite WTA Tour players out on court this year.

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