​Iga Svyatek, Aryna Sabalenko, Ons Jabert or Maria Sakkari are names that everyone expects to see in the final stages of the competition, but Martina Navratilova has compiled a list of players outside the WTA top 20 who can spring surprises in the clay season. .

Martina Navratilova says that Iryna Begu is a difficult opponent on clay

Along with Olena Ostapenko (Roland Garros-2017 champion) and Paula Badosa (ex-No. 2 WTA), the ex-leader of the world ranking is also nominated. Iryna Begu (35 WTA).

“Iryna-Camelia Begu (#35): Here are some amazing stats for a 32-year-old player from Romania. Among players currently ranked in the Top 50, she has the third most career wins on clay behind Simona Halep and Victoria Azarenka with 104.

“A surprise is definitely possible,” Navratilova said. “I wouldn’t like to see her on my side of the picture,” is how Iryna describes the material produced by WTA.

Other names mentioned by Navratilova: Martina Trevisan (20 WTA), Donna Vekic (23 WTA), Anastasia Potapova (25 WTA) and Jill Teichmann (30 WTA).

In addition, the owner of 59 Grand Slam titles (18 in singles, 31 in doubles and 10 in mixed ranks) said that she can surprise “anyone from the Czech Republic”.

Iryna Begu (favorite 31) enters directly into the second round of the “WTA 1000” tournament in Madrid and will meet Karolina Mukhova (52 WTA).

The WTA Mutua Madrid Open takes place from April 25 to May 7 on clay in the Caja Magica complex. It is in the WTA 1000 category, has a total prize money of US$7,652,174, and the title holder is Ons Jabert. Simona Halep won in 2016 and 2017.