Next week, the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz returns to Mexico for the Abierto GNP Seguros Monterrey Open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Playing host to its third edition as a WTA 500 event, the Monterrey Open serves as the final tune-up event before the season’s final major, the US Open. Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova and Roland Garros finalist Maja Chwalinska currently headline the field competing at Club Sonoma.<\/p>\n
Here is everything to know about this year’s Monterrey Open:<\/p>\n
What are the dates for each round?<\/p>\n
Main-draw play for both the singles and doubles draws begins on Sunday, August 23, with singles qualifying taking place on August 22 and 23.<\/p>\n
The finals will take place on Saturday, August 29, beginning with the doubles championship at 3 p.m. local time. The singles final will follow, not before 5:30 p.m. local time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Time conversions:\u00a0Monterrey, Nuevo Le\u00f3n Mexico uses Central Standard Time, two hours behind Eastern Daylight Time, seven hours behind British Summer Time and eight hours behind Central European Summer Time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Singles<\/p>\n
First round:\u00a0August 23-25
Second round: August 25-26
Quarterfinals: August 27
Semifinals: August 28
Final: August 29<\/p>\n
Doubles<\/p>\n
First round: August 23-25
Quarterfinals: August 25-26
Semifinals: August 27-28
Final: August 29<\/p>\n
How big is the draw, and who are the top players in the field?<\/p>\n
Monterrey will feature a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw. The top four singles players at the time of seeding will receive byes into the second round.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeded players: [1] Linda Noskova, [2] Ekaterina Alexandrova, [3] Sorana Cirstea, [4] Elise Mertens, [5] Maja Chwalinska, [6] Anastasia Potapova, [7] Ann Li, [8] Donna Vekic<\/p>\n
Remaining direct entrants: Sara Bejlek, Janice Tjen, Cristina Bucsa, Nikola Bartunkova, Magdalena Frech, Clara Tauson, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Lilli Tagger, Mayar Sherif, Zeynep Sonmez, Petra Marcinko<\/p>\n
Wild cards: Renata Zarazua, Jessica Hinojosa Gomez — two more to be determined<\/p>\n
Player list is subject to change<\/p>\n
Draw: The main draw will be determined at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 22.<\/p>\n
Who are the defending champions?<\/p>\n