By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday, October 8, 2022
Marquee first-round matchups dot next week’s San Diego Open draw, as big names take their place in the 28-player field in the Barnes Tennis Center.
Here’s the full draw (after Beatriz Haddad Maia’s withdrawal)
Let’s have a look at some of the early matches, potential quarterfinals clashes and more:
Four First-Rounders to Die For
Garbine Muguruza vs. Elena Rybakina (winner faces Swiatek)
It hasn’t been Muguruza’s best year by a long shot (12-16 and zero titles), and Rybakina, well, she’s the Wimbledon champion. The matchup is an opportunity for the Spaniard to remind us all of what she’s capable of and to build some momentum for 2023. For Rybakina, it’s another chance to assert herself on a fast surface, as a force to be reckoned with and a future top-five talent.
Leylah Fernandez vs. Daria Kasatkina
After an extremely solid nine months in 2022, Daria Kasatkina is currently seventh in the WTA’s Race to Dallas, and she hopes to pick up some points this week in California - but a very tough customer stands in her way in Leylah Fernandez.
Kasatkina took their only meeting at Rome earlier this year, defeating the scrappy, talented Canadian in a third-set breaker.
Caroline Garcia vs. Danielle Collins
Last time they met (it feels like a lifetime ago), Collins defeated Garcia in straight sets at the Australian Open in 2019. This year Garcia is a different player, as she showed this summer when she was one of the most dominant players on tour, and she’ll be the favorite against Collins, who can never be counted out.
Bianca Andreescu v Liudmila Samsonova (winner faces Coco Gauff)
Liudmila Samsonova has been one of the biggest stories in women’s tennis in 2022. The Russian, now at a career-high 22 in the rankings (without playing Wimbledon), has won three titles on tour this season.
Andreescu has not exactly torn up the tour in 2022 – she’s down at 57 in the world still – but she has shown her transcendent talents in stretches. Here’s another chance for the 2019 US Open champion to show that her name belongs in the conversations when we talk of potential Slam winners and top-five talents.
Potential Quarterfinals (if seeds hold)
Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff
Jessica Pegula v Daria Kasatkina
Maria Sakkari v Aryna Sabalenka
Caroline Garcia v Paula Badosa