Analysis of the WTA Cincinnati 2025 lineup: Sabalenka faces a major challenge

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 6 Aug 2025 | 09.35

Sabalenka and Swiatek in Cincinnati. Photo: Getty Images.

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Two weeks of great tennis, surprises, disappointments, and strong emotions lie ahead with the dispute of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2025, a tournament that marks the return of Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian has not been able to avoid facing Iga Swiatek in her section of the draw, who will aim to get back on the path to victory. Let's analyze which potential matchups could unfold.

The big event before the last Grand Slam of the year is here. All the world's best female tennis players gather at the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2025 in search of a title that will boost their confidence for the New York major and have an impact on the rankings. Aryna Sabalenka is back in action and is considered the favorite, although many others will try to challenge her dominance. It's worth uncovering the intricacies of how the final draw looks.

Analysis of the women's draw of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2025

1st Quarter

Potential opponents of Aryna Sabalenka: Bye - Vondrousova/Cristian - Raducanu/Danilovic/Boulter - Samsonova/Leylah - Keys/Rybakina - Swiatek/Anisimova - Gauff/Pegula

Potential opponents of Madison Keys: Bye - Lys/Pera - Pavlyuchenkova/Ruse - Rybakina/Mertens - Sabalenka/Samsonova - Swiatek/Anisimova - Gauff/Pegula

The Belarusian has been the major victim of the draw, facing players like Vondrousova or Raducanu early on, before potentially encountering stiff opposition in the round of 16 and quarter-finals where Samsonova, Keys, and Rybakina could be very challenging adversaries. The American Keys may find herself highly threatened by the Kazakh.

2nd Quarter

Potential opponents of Iga Swiatek: Bye - Potapova/Qualifier - Kostyuk/Maria - Shnaider/Frech - Anisimova/Alexandrova - Sabalenka/Keys - Gauff/Pegula

Potential opponents of Amanda Anisimova: Bye - Starodubtseva/Qualifer - Kalinskaya/Stearns - Alexandrova/Haddad-Maia - Swiatek/Shnaider - Sabalenka/Keys - Gauff/Pegula

It wouldn't be surprising if the predictions came true in this section, with Swiatek and Anisimova potentially meeting in the quarter-finals, a rematch of the Wimbledon final. Their potential opponents do not arrive in top form, but nothing can be taken for granted given the prevailing equality.

3rd Quarter

Potential opponents of Emma Navarro: Bye - Kudermetova/Qualifier - Kessler/McNally - Muchova/Kenin - Pegula/Tauson - Gauff/Paolini - Sabalenka/Keys

Potential opponents of Jessica Pegula: Bye - Blinkova/Birrell - Linette/Dolehide - Tauson/Bencic - Navarro/Muchova - Gauff/Paolini - Sabalenka/Keys

There is a notable array of candidates aiming to avoid a clash between the top-seeded players. Navarro is not in her best form, and having Muchova, Kenin, or even Kudermetova in her path could be unsettling. On the other hand, Pegula could face tough opponents like Bencic or Tauson in the round of 16.

4th Quarter

Potential opponents of Jasmine Paolini: Bye - Sakkari/Qualifier - Krueger/Sevastova - Svitolina/Noskova - Gauff/Kasatkina - Pegula/Navarro - Sabalenka/Keys

Potential opponents of Cori Gauff: Bye - Wang/Arango - Yastremska/Li - Kasatkina/Ostapenko - Paolini/Svitolina - Pegula/Navarro - Sabalenka/Keys

Gauff arrives needing to improve her form and starts the tournament comfortably but could face the always dangerous Ostapenko in the round of 16. Meanwhile, Paolini must regain confidence and having opponents like Sakkari, Sevastova, or Svitolina in her path doesn't seem the best scenario for her.