Paris Olympics 2024: Women's singles draw analysis, preview and prediction ft. potential blockbuster Iga Swiatek-Danielle Collins QF
The women's singles draw for the Paris Olympics have been revealed, and we are set for some breathtaking action at Roland Garros. Belinda Bencic was the gold medalist at Tokyo 2020 but she will not compete this time, neither will silver medalist Marketa Vondrousova.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will be back on her most dominant surface and will be heavily favored to clinch gold. However, the likes of Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are also capable of going all the way, among others.
On that note, let's take a look at how the women's singles draw at the Paris Olympics could unfold.
Top Half: Iga Swiatek will be aiming to continue clay dominance with Olympic gold
Seeded Players: (1) Iga Swiatek, (3) Elena Rybakina, (6) Zheng Qinwen, (8) Danielle Collins, (10) Jelena Ostapenko, (11) Emma Navarro, (15) Diana Shnaider, (16) Leylah Fernandez
Expected Semifinal: Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina
Dark Horse: Karolina Muchova
Analysis: World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the overwhelming favorite to win gold at the Paris Olympics and she will start her campaign against Irina-Camelia Begu. The Pole has rather an easy draw till the quarterfinals, as her potential opponents include Diane Parry, Nadia Podoroska, Linda Noskova, Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Diana Shnaider.
While some of the aforementioned players are good on clay, Swiatek's performances on the surface have been way too dominant to expect anything but wins for her and an easy passage to the last eight.
Here, the Pole could face either eighth seed Danielle Collins or tenth seed Jelena Ostapenko, although Caroline Wozniacki should not be written off. While Ostapenko is a formidable competitor, there is a good chance of Collins booking her place in the quarterfinals with the performances she has produced so far in 2024.
Swiatek's matchup against the American could be an interesting one to look forward to. However, the Pole has come out on top both times the two faced one another in 2024.
The other side of this half has some fine players in third seed Elena Rybakina, sixth seed Zheng Qinwen, 11th seed Emma Navarro, 16th seed Leylah Fernandez and Naomi Osaka. There are some captivating first-round encounters here, including Osaka taking on Angelique Kerber while Fernandez will lock horns with Karolina Muchova.
Rybakina could face a tough challenge in Naomi Osaka in the second round, if she qualifies. Health has been a factor for the Kazakh, given she has often retired from matches due to illness. However, if she is at her fittest, she should be able to make it through to the quarterfinals, although the likes of Fernandez and Muchova should not be written off.
Here, Rybakina could face either sixth seed Zheng Qinwen or 11th seed Emma Navarro. The Kazakh is a fine player on clay and she should be able to beat either of the two to book her place in the semifinals of the Olympics for the second successive edition.
Iga Swiatek vs Elena Rybakina at the Paris Olympics could be a mouth-watering clash on clay and it could go down to the wire. The Pole may not have it easy but she should be able to narrowly come out on top.
Semifinal Prediction: Iga Swiatek def. Elena Rybakina
Bottom Half: Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova make for an interesting draw
Seeded Players: (2) Coco Gauff, (4) Jasmine Paolini, (5) Jessica Pegula, (7) Maria Sakkari, (9) Barbora Krejcikova, (12) Marta Kostyuk, (13), Donna Vekic, (14) Beatriz Haddad Maia
Expected Semifinal: Coco Gauff vs Jasmine Paolini
Dark Horse: Elina Svitolina
Analysis: This section of the Paris Olympics draw has a fine set of players that include second seed Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula and Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Gauff has been handed a rather favorable draw and she should have a rather smooth run to the quarterfinals. The 20-year-old could face the likes of Bianca Andreescu, Marta Kostyuk, Donna Vekic and Maria Sakkari, and should be able to get the better of them all.
The other side of the draw could well see Jasmine Paolini take on either Jessica Pegula or Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova. The Italian reached two back-to-back Grand Slam finals and given her draw, she should be able to make it through to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics without much trouble, even though the likes of Beatriz Haddad Maia and Mirra Andreeva should not be written off.
Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejcikova are two formidable players and there is a good chance the two could lock horns in the third round. Krejcikova's composure might just about see her get the win and reach the quarterfinals.
Here, there is a good chance Jasmine Paolini could avenge her Wimbledon final defeat and beat the Czech to reach the semifinals at the Paris Olympics. The Italian's recent run of form should also see her prevail over Coco Gauff and reach another final.
Semifinal Prediction: Coco Gauff def. Jasmine Paolini
Paris Olympics 2024: Final prediction
Bronze medal match: Jasmine Paolini def. Elena Rybakina
Gold medal match: Iga Swiatek def. Coco Gauff