GUADALAJARA OPEN: In the wake of a scintillating women’s singles competition at the US Open, the WTA Tour continues on the hard courts of the Americas as the players head south to Guadalajara, Mexico. With many of the bigger names opting out of this one it should provide a good chance for some up and comers to make a name for themselves.
Ann Li – No. 1 Seed
One player to keep a close eye on is the rising American sensation, Ann Li. Having burst onto the scene back in 2020, Ann Li has steadily climbed the rankings with her exceptional skills seeing her rise as high as 44th in the world. Her impressive run at the Australian Open in 2021, where she reached the third round, showcased her potential to challenge the best in the world.
Li’s versatile game, marked by a powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, makes her a formidable opponent on the hard court. The question here will be whether she can withstand the pressure of being No.1 seed and clinch her first WTA title. With her youth and hunger for success, Ann Li is undoubtedly the one to watch at this year’s tournament.
Sachia Vickery – Red hot form
Sachia Vickery’s has struggled to find consistency throughout her career but has found decent form recently. After battling injuries and setbacks, the resilient American is determined to make her mark at the 2023 Guadalajara Open. Vickery, known for her lightning-fast footwork and aggressive baseline game, has the potential to run down even the toughest opponents.
Vickery’s past success on the WTA circuit, including a memorable run to the in the US Open 10 years ago, has showcased her ability to rise to the occasion. She managed to make it through three rounds of qualifying and the first round before being knocked out of the US Open this year, and she will be hoping to continue her winning ways.
Whitney Osuigwe – Gaining valuable experience
Whitney Osuigwe, the 2017 French Open Junior Girls’ Singles champion, has been steadily making her mark on the professional circuit. Her calm and composed demeanour on the court, combined with precise shot-making skills, has garnered her attention as a potential future star. Osuigwe’s performance on the Challenger Tour has been impressive, and most recently she lost to former world number 11 Alize Cornet, managing to push the final set to a scoreline of 7-5.
Whitney Osuigwe has shown glimpses to suggest that she can compete at the highest level of women’s tennis and making a deep run in this tournament would certainly do her reputation no harm. Her ability to adapt to different playing styles and her determination to succeed make her a player with great potential and she could prove very effective against a lower quality field here.
Osuigwe’s current ranking of 315 in the world does not tell the whole story and she has been ranked as high as 105 back in 2019. A win here would see her fly up the rankings and continue her charge back towards the top 100, where a player of her ability belongs.
