The draw for the Merida Open Akron has been revealed, in what will be its first edition as a WTA 500 tournament. The outdoor hardcourt event will take place in Merida, Mexico, at the Yucatan Country Club from February 24 to March 2, replacing the now-defunct San Diego Open.
The tournament will feature four top-20 players, including Emma Navarro (No. 10) and Paula Badosa (No. 11) as the main title contenders. Additionally, wildcards were granted to notable players such as world No. 14 Anna Kalinskaya, former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, and defending champion Zeynep Sonmez.
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Navarro and Badosa lead WTA 500 field
Merida hosted the tournament in 2023 and 2024, although both editions were WTA 250 events, with previous champions being the now-retired Camila Giorgi and Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez in the most recent edition.
The 22-year-old Sonmez received a wildcard from the organizers to compete in the tournament and will have a tough debut against 8th seed Maria Sakkari—one of the most interesting first-round matches. Sakkari always finds inspiration in Mexico, where she won her only WTA 1000 title at the Guadalajara Open.
Maria Sakkarin won just 3 of her last 10 WTA level matches
The top four seeds received first-round byes: Emma Navarro, Paula Badosa, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and wildcard Anna Kalinskaya. They all await their second-round opponents.
Meanwhile, other favourites preparing for their debut include Donna Vekic (5th seed) and Marta Kostyuk (6th seed), both of whom will face qualifiers. Additionally, 7th seed Magdalena Frech will make her debut against Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan.
A standout first-round match is Lulu Sun vs. Rebecca Sramkova, two of the newcomers of 2024. The Slovak won her first title in Hua Hin, reached two more finals in the last two months of 2024, and also led her country to the Billie Jean King Cup final. On Sun’s side, she reached her first WTA 500 final in Monterrey and had a brilliant run at Wimbledon, reaching the quarter-finals.
Projected Quarter-Finals
Emma Navarro (1) vs. Maria Sakkari (8)
Anna Kalinskaya (4) vs. Magdalena Frech (7)
Beatriz Haddad Maia (3) vs. Donna Vekic (5)
Paula Badosa (2) vs. Marta Kostyuk (6)
WTA Merida Open Akron Draw
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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