Organizers of the tournament in Cincinnati announced the schedule for Tuesday, in which Simona Halep and Sorana Kirstea will make their debuts.

The opponent changed to Simona Halep after the withdrawal of Karolina Muchova from the tournament – Sorana Kirstya, a match with Belinda Bencic

Sorana Kirstja will play against Belinda Bencic (Switzerland – 11 WTA) at Porsche Arena from 18:00 (Romanian time) in the first round of the tournament in Cincinnati.

In the first round, Simona will beat Anastasia Potapova (Russia – 54th place in WTA, entered the main draw as a lucky loser).

The match between Halep and Potapova will take place on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, somewhere around 00:00 (Romanian time).

Karolina Mukhova, Simona’s original opponent, had to withdraw from the tournament due to health problems.

Potapova was eliminated in the final round of qualifying in Cincinnati (losing to Anna Kalinska), but will still play in the main draw of the WTA 1000 tournament.

The dispute between Simona and Anastasia will be the first of the day on court 3 of the Cincinnati complex and will start no earlier than 00:00.

Live broadcast of Tuesday’s Romanian matches on Digisport 2 and Digisport 4.

Sorana Kirstya – Belinda Bencic 1-0

Kirstia and Bencic have only met once on the WTA circuit, and the match was won by the Romanian.

2021, Melbourne Grampians Trophy: 7-5, 6-2 for Sorana Kirstea.

Simona Halep vs. Anastasia Potapova 2-0

During that time, Halep and Potapova met twice, and each time our athlete won.

2021, Moscow: 6-1, 6-4 for Halep.

2021, Melbourne Gippsland Trophy: 6-4, 6-4 for Halep.

If she beats Potapova, Simona Halep will face Veronika Kudermetova (6-3, 6-3 with Barbora Krejcikova in the first round) in the second round in Cincinnati.

Simona Halep, virtual circuit from WTA Cincinnati

First round – Anastasia Potapova

II round – Veronika Kudermetova

Optimal – Paula Badosa

Quarters – Ons Jabeur / Belinda Bencic / Sorana Cîrstea / Petra Kvitova

Semifinal – Iga Svyatek / Garbinier Muguruza / Corey Gauff / Jelena Ostapenko

Final – Anette Kontaveit / Maria Sakkari / Aryna Sabalenko / Jessica Pegula / Emma Reducanu / Bianca Andreescu.

The Western & Southern Open is the last tournament before the US Open 2022

A WTA 1000 category competition, the tournament will be held on hard from August 15 to 21, 2022. Its total prize pool is $2,527,250 and there are 64 players at the start of the main draw. The reigning champion is Ashley Barty (now retired), who won the title last year.