The initial draw for the Miami Open places Fran Jones of Great Britain in a first-round match against the renowned American player Venus Williams, with the potential for British compatriots Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal to compete against each other for the first time during the second round.
At 45 years old, Williams achieved the distinction of being the second-eldest female player to secure a WTA Tour singles victory, accomplishing this feat against Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open in July of the previous year.
Subsequently, the former world number one, a winner of seven Grand Slam titles, has experienced a series of eight consecutive singles losses, with her most recent defeat occurring in the opening round of Indian Wells at the hands of France’s Diane Parry.
Williams currently holds the 517th position in the global women’s rankings, whereas Jones, aged 25, is ranked 93rd.
Kartal, who made an impact by reaching the round of 16 at Indian Wells prior to retiring from her match against Elena Rybakina due to a lower back issue, is scheduled to compete against Stearns in the initial round of the Miami Open, commencing this Tuesday.
Should Kartal emerge victorious, it would arrange her inaugural professional encounter with Raducanu, who exited Indian Wells in the third round and has been granted a first-round bye for the Miami Open.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked player and recent Indian Wells champion, will commence her participation in the Miami Open during the second round, facing either American Ann Li or an unseeded player.
