The WTA Tour makes its way to Asia this week as the Korea Open 2025 kicks off in Seoul, featuring an impressive lineup headlined by World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. Joining her in the draw is British star Emma Raducanu, who received a wild card entry. Both players are anticipated to face off in the quarter-finals, assuming they navigate the earlier rounds successfully.
Swiatek, fresh from her recent campaign at the US Open where she made it to the quarter-finals before losing to Amanda Anisimova, is the top seed in Seoul. Raducanu, on the other hand, was eliminated in the first round of the US Open by Elena Rybakina and is aiming for a stronger showing in this tournament. The draw has placed both players in the same section, setting the stage for a thrilling potential clash.
With the top four seeds receiving first-round byes, Swiatek will be making her debut at the Korea Open, facing either Sorana Cirstea or Zhu Lin in her opening match. As for Raducanu, she is also aiming to repeat her quarter-final performance from last year’s event. The eighth seed is set to begin her campaign against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian. If she progresses, Raducanu could encounter two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova in the second round, who is facing a qualifier in her opening match.
In the upper half of the draw, Swiatek is projected to meet Clara Tauson, the third seed, in the semi-finals. Tauson, who previously defeated Swiatek at the Canadian Open this summer, will open her challenge against Eva Lys of Germany, who recently triumphed over Ashlyn Krueger.
In the lower half, second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova has had a quietly successful season and begins her campaign against a potential tough opponent, Lois Boisson, in the second round. The defending champion, sixth-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia, is looking to rebuild her form after navigating a challenging year and has a favorable path through her early matches, starting against local wild card Back Dayeon.
Also in the mix is fourth seed Daria Kasatkina, who reached the finals last year and aims for a repeat performance. Following her bye, she is set to face Katerina Siniakova, who has already secured a win over a wild-card entrant.
The tournament promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, with several players capable of challenging for the title as they vie for valuable ranking points and momentum heading into the closing events of 2025.
