The package of the number 1 in world women’s tennis, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, benefited Quebec’s Leylah Annie Fernandez, who took her place at the top of the main draw of the Madrid tournament to start on Thursday.
• Read also: A tough opponent for Leylah Annie Fernandez
• Read also: Davis Cup: Canada will play in Spain
While Swiatek rests to treat a right arm injury, Fernandez will play on Madrid soil as 17e first in the series. In the first round, she will face the German Andrea Petkovic. The latter comes from the qualifications and occupies the 64e rank in the WTA World Rankings.
A victory for Fernandez against the 34-year-old athlete could earn her in the next round a duel with the Czech Petra Kvitova or the Swiss Jil Teichmann, respectively 30e et 35e in the world. Initially, the Maple Leaf player was to face Russia’s Daria Kasatkina, 24e WTA Tour racket.
For her part, Ontario’s Bianca Andreescu (111e) will face the American Alison Riske (42e) from the outset.
The Spanish competition takes place on clay and is one of the main tournaments preceding the French Open, scheduled for May 22-June 5.