World No. 1 Serena Williams could face her sister Venus Williams earlier than she would like in a potential early round match at the Madrid Open.

WTA: Pliskova Powers Into Prague Final

The announcement of the women's draw for the Premier WTA event placed several American players in Williams' path for a third title at the Madrid event.

Williams will first face rising talent Madison Brengle in the first round. Then she'll face the winner of all-American opener between Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Sloane Stephens. Also in this section is No. 16 seed Venus Williams who meets unseeded Victoria Azarenka in round one. If both Williams Sisters advance, that would set up a career 26th meeting between the two.

No. 2 seed Simona Halep finds herself with a less complicated road at the start of the tournament. The Romanian meets France's Alize Cornet in the first round. No. 13 seed Lucie Safarova looms as a possible third round opponent.

The hottest player on clay right now is No. 12 seed Angelique Kerber. The German lefty is on a 11-match win streak that includes winning titles in Charleston and Stuttgart. Kerber could get an early rematch against Madison Keys, who she beat in the Charleston final, but this time in the second round.

Defending champion and No. 3 seed Maria Sharapova enters this year's event with several question marks still hanging over her head after a surprise opening round loss in Stuttgart where she was three-time defending champion. The Russian star starts off with a tricky first round against a rejuvenated Timea Bacsinsky of Switzerland now a career high ranking of No. 21.

Former 2011 winner and No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova, who also lost early in Stuttgart last week, drew a qualifier for her opening round. Stuttgart finalist and No. 5 seed Caroline Wozniacki will meet Australia's Jarmila Gajdosova.

Opening round play commences on May 2nd.