The Tennis World Shaken: Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff Benched as Stuttgart Open Quarter-Finals Delayed
In a shocking turn of events at the Stuttgart Open, top players Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff have been sidelined as the Quarter-Finals have been rescheduled, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief. The tournament, currently in the Quarter-Finals stage, has been halted due to Good Friday regulations in the region, preventing any matches from taking place today.
This unexpected development means that star players such as Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff will have to wait until Easter Monday to showcase their skills on the court. Despite securing a spot in the Quarter-Finals, Sabalenka has yet to compete this week, receiving a bye and a walk-over in previous rounds. The World No.1 will face Elise Mertens in the next round, with the potential to claim the title in just three matches.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff is set to go head-to-head with Jasmine Paolini, and Jessica Pegula will battle Ekaterina Alexandrova. Top seed Iga Swiatek is scheduled to play against Jelena Ostapenko in the upcoming matches. The unexpected schedule change, mandated by the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, has also impacted the players’ preparation for the upcoming Madrid Open, which begins shortly after the Stuttgart Open concludes.
While some players may not be significantly affected by the delay in their matches, the back-to-back tournaments pose a challenge for others, including those looking ahead to the Rome Open. Despite the setback, players like Alexander Zverev have been able to continue their matches in Munich unaffected by the regional regulations that have disrupted the Stuttgart Open.
The tennis world remains on edge as fans eagerly await the resumption of the Stuttgart Open Quarter-Finals and the thrilling matches that are sure to follow in the days ahead.
As the Stuttgart Open continues this Saturday, April 19, 2025, players are set to return to the clay at the Porsche-Arena. Among those scheduled to play are Coco Gauff, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Jessica Pegula, Jelena Ostapenko, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elise Mertens.
The order of play for Saturday on Centre Court starts with Ekaterina Alexandrova facing Jessica Pegula at 11:30 AM UK time, followed by Jelena Ostapenko against Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka battling Elise Mertens (not before 4 PM), and Coco Gauff competing against Jasmine Paolini (not before 5:30 PM).
In the quarterfinals, Jessica Pegula, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, will face off against Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is ranked 22nd. Pegula received a first-round bye and defeated Magdalena Frech in straight sets in the round of 16, while Alexandrova has yet to drop a set this tournament, coming off a stunning victory over Mirra Andreeva.
Alexandrova, who won her first WTA 500 title at the Linz Open earlier this year, also reached the semi-finals of the Qatar Ladies Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu, and Jessica Pegula along the way. Pegula, on the other hand, continues to impress, having surpassed the 2024 French Open champion Coco Gauff and reached her career-high No. 3 ranking, which she first attained in October 2022.
The two players have faced each other four times in their careers, with both holding a 50% winning percentage against one another. Pegula narrowly beat Alexandrova in the Charleston semifinal, while Alexandrova defeated Pegula in the Doha quarterfinals earlier this season.
In terms of overall performance this season, Pegula has won 25 of her 31 matches, while Alexandrova has a record of 12 wins out of 20 matches. Pegula remains undefeated on clay this season, adding to her confidence heading into the quarterfinal match.
As the tournament progresses, the excitement builds, especially with the French Open just six weeks away. The Stuttgart Open not only offers ranking points and prize money but also the chance to take home a brand-new Porsche for the champion.
The finals are scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2025, and fans are eager to see who will emerge victorious from this prestigious event. With the rescheduled matches, the anticipation is palpable, and the players are ready to give their all on the court.
As the tennis world watches closely, the Stuttgart Open is set to deliver thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes as the tournament unfolds. Stay tuned for updates and results as the action heats up!
