The tour is finally back and we have already some interesting 1st rounds at the upcoming Western & Southern Open in New York with Cori Gauff, Maria Sakkari, Venus Williams, Dayana Yastremska, Vika Azarenka and Donna Vekic.

Coco Gauff vs. Maria Sakkari

Coco Gauff will take on Maria Sakkari in the first round with the aim of clashing against her childhood hero Serena Williams in the 3rd round. Cori Gauff and Maria Sakkari have never played each other.

Coco Gauff

Currently ranked no.50, Cori played her last match on the 15th of August when she capitulated to Jennifer Brady 6-2 6-4 in the semifinal in Lexington.

Cori Gauff’s best achievement of the current season was getting to the semi-finals in Lexington.

 

Maria Sakkari in 2020

Now ranked no.21, Sakkari played her last match on the 3rd of August when she capitulated to Kristyna Pliskova 6-4 6-4 in the 1st round in Palermo.

Maria Sakkari’s most significant accomplishment of this year was reaching the semi-finals in St. Petersburg.

Venus Williams vs. Dayana Yastremska

Dayana is definitely one of the most interesting prospects on the WTA circuit and she will be more than eager to finally break in the top20 after the upcoming US swing. On the other side, at 40 years of age, Venus is still incredibly fit a playing really good tennis. Also, in this case, Venus Williams and Dayana Yastremska have never played each other.

Venus Williams in 2020

Ranked no.65, Venus played her last match on the 13th of August when she surrendered to Serena Williams 3-6 6-3 6-4

in the 2nd round in Lexington.

Dayana Yastremska in 2020

Currently ranked no.25, Dayana played her last match on the 7th of August when she capitulated to Camila Giorgi 4-6 7-65 6-3 in the quarter in Palermo.

Dayana Yastremska’s most significant achievement of this year was reaching the final in Adelaide.

 

Donna Vekic vs. Victoria Azarenka

Another interesting clash will be the one between Vika Azarenka and Donna Vekic. Vika (former world no.1) is nowhere near her past standards. but she can bounce back anytime. On the other side, Donna will be more than focus to break back in the top20 to chase more glory.

Donna Vekic and Victoria Azarenka played each other twice. The head to head is 2-0 for Vekic. The last time that they played each other, Donna Vekic won 6-2 7-5 in the 2nd round in Cincinnati (Western & Southern Open) in August 2019.

In the video below, you can watch the highlights.

 

Donna Vekic in 2020

Now the world no.24, the Croatian played her last match on the 5th of August when she was defeated by Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2 6-4 in the 2nd round in Palermo.

Victoria Azarenka in 2020

Now ranked no.59, Victoria played her last match on the 11th of August when she capitulated to Venus Williams 6-3 6-2 in the 1st round in Lexington.

Cori Gauff and Venus Williams

Embed from Getty Images