In our Preview of the Guadalajara Open AKRON, the Round of 64 at the WTA 1000 event gets underway today, Sunday, September 17, featuring Karolina Pliskova, Leylah Fernandez, and Sloane Stephens.

Taking to the court first in the Estadio Akron de Tenis is an all-Belgian match against Yanina Wickmayer and thirteenth seed Elise Mertens. The pair have never faced each other before, so it will be interesting to see how their abilities match up.

Following this will be sixteenth seed Pliskova against Japan's Ena Shibahara. The latter is usually a doubles specialist but made it through qualifiers in straight sets to set up a clash with the former World No. 1.

The Czech player will be hoping to make up for the disappointment she faced at the recent US Open where she was ousted in the second round by Clara Burel and at the San Diego Open where she was defeated by Anhelina Kalinina in the Round of 32.

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Bouchard, Fernandez, and Stephens also on main court

After 15:00, wild card Eugenie Bouchard will play against home player Renata Zarazua. The Mexican player currently holds a 2-0 lead over the Canadian in their head-to-head, with their most recent meeting also being on home soil at the WTA 125K Tampico, Mexico Women Singles 2022 in October last year.

Following this, 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez will take on Asia Muhammad. The American was the fourteenth seed during qualifiers, moving past both her opponents in three sets. The two players have never played against each other before.

Last up in the Estadio Akron de Tenis will be two Americans, as 2017 US Open champion Stephens faces Ann Li, who was the top seed in qualifiers. This will be their first meeting.

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Paolini and Tomljanovic on Grandstand Caliente

Over on Grandstand Caliente, fifteenth seed Jasmine Paolini will play against Louisa Chirico before Hailey Baptiste takes on home player Lya Isabel Fernandez Olivares. They will be followed by another Mexican player, Ana Sofia Sanchez, who will face Ukrainian player Dayana Yastremska. 

After 16:30, Australian Ajla Tomljanovic will take on Taylor Townsend. Their head-to-head is level at 1-1 at the moment, so whoever wins this will achieve a narrow lead.

On Court 1, twelfth seed Kalinina will attempt to extend her 3-0 lead in her head-to-head against Grace Min, after Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Arantxa Rus meet for the second time and Demi Schuurs plays against Martina Trevisan.

Schedule for Guadalajara Open AKRON Day One