Sasnovich makes Cincinnati 2021 main draw

MINSK, 16 August (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number 90 Aliaksandra Sasnovich has reached the main draw of the 2021 Western & Southern Open, BelTA has learned.

In the decisive qualifying match the Belarusian saw off Germany’s world number 68 Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-2. In the first qualifying match Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated world number 57 Kristina Mladenovic of France 6-4, 7-5. Today, Aliaksandra Sasnovich will face world number 67 Heather Watson of the UK. The winner will take on Australia’s world number 1 Ashleigh Barty in the round of 32.

Belarus’ world number 15 Victoria Azarenka will play Russia’s world number 52 Liudmila Samsonova in the round of Last 64 tomorrow. Belarus’ world number 3 Aryna Sabalenka will kick off her Cincinnati run in the round of Last 32 against either Croatia’s world number 34 Petra Martic or Spain’s world number 31 Paula Badosa Gibert.

In the doubles round of Last 32 Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Russia’s Anna Blinkova will take on the U.S. duo Hayley Carter and Sabrina Santamaria. Victoria Azarenka paired with Jessica Pegula of the United States will play Ukraine-Japan tandem Lyudmyla Kichenok and Makoto Ninomiya.

The tournament in Cincinnati will complete on 22 August. The competitions will be a good rehearsal before the season’s Grand Slam tournament – US Open, which is due in New York on 30 August-11 September.