SERENA WILLIAMS ACCEPTS WILD CARD INTO WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN
Two-time defending champion set to defend titles as top seed
CINCINNATI (August 12, 2016) — Two-time defending champion Serena Williams has accepted a wild card into the 2016 Western & Southern Open. Williams, the WTA’s No. 1 player, will be the top seed for next week’s tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
“We are thrilled Serena is returning to defend her titles,” said tournament director Andre Silva. “She is a fan favorite wherever she goes, especially here in Cincinnati as the reigning champion.”
Williams will enter this year’s tournament on a 10-match winning streak in Cincinnati, having dropped just two sets in winning consecutive titles. In 2015, Williams defeated Simona Halep in the final after downing Ana Ivanovic in the 2014 title match.
This year, Williams will be bidding to reach a fourth straight final at the Western & Southern Open. In 2013, she finished as runner-up to Victoria Azarenka. Overall, she has a 21-6 record in eight appearances in Cincinnati.
The singles draws for the Western & Southern Open will be made Friday evening. Play begins with the opening round of qualifying at 10 am on Saturday, August 13.
