Wimbledon 2023 women’s draw: Swiatek vs Gauff, Rybakina vs Jabeur amongst projected quarterfinals

Defending champion Elena Rybakina is projected to face Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals in what would be a repeat of last year’s summit clash.

FILE PHOTO: World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. | Photo Credit: AP

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, chasing her maiden Wimbledon title, will open her campaign against China’s Zhu Lin and could face USA’s Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, as per the draw announced on Friday.

Defending champion Elena Rybakina is projected to face Ons Jabeur in the quarterfinals in what would be a repeat of last year’s summit clash. Rybakina starts her title defense against Shelby Rogers while Jabeur first takes on Magdalena Frech.

READ - Wimbledon 2023 Preview: Swiatek faces Sabalenka, Rybakina challenge in pursuit of maiden title

World No. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was drawn to face Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the first round and could meet Maria Sakkari at the last-eight stage. Sakkari’s first-round opponent is Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine.

Jessica Pegula is projected to meet Caroline Garcia in the quarterfinals. Pegula first takes on fellow American Lauren Davis while Garcia also faces an American, Katie Volynets.

Five-time champion Venus Williams will face fellow wildcard Elina Svitolina in the first round.

Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit, who is set to retire after Wimbledon, will begin her final Major with an opening-round meeting with Italian qualifier Lucrezia Stefanini.

Interesting first-round clashes

Iga Swiatek vs Zhu Lin

Venus Williams vs Elina Svitolina

Sofia Kenin vs Coco Gauff

Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Yulia Putintseva

Elena Rybakina vs Shelby Rogers

Aryna Sabalenka vs Panna Udvardy

Karolina Muchova vs Jule Niemeier

Barbora Krejcikova vs Heather Watson

Maria Sakkari vs Marta Kostyuk