Serena Leads Strong WTA Lexington Field, Could Meet Venus In 2R

Pro tennis officially returns to the U.S.A. Monday in Lexington, Kentucky for an impressive WTA field led by 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams.

The 38-year-old Williams will be joined by Aryna Sabalenka, Johanna Konta and Amanda Anisimova as the Top 4 seeds, respectively.

Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka are also in the draw for the first time event.

In the marquee match of the first round, Azarenka meets Venus Williams for a potential collision with Serena in the second round.

Serena opens against Bernarda Pera. She could face Stephens in the quarters and Anisimova in the semifinals.

“I never expected to be playing here in Kentucky, but it’s close to Florida and easy to get here for me, and I’m excited,” Serena said on Saturday.

“There won’t be fans here, but it’s cool. We’ve been stuck at home for six months and I’ve never been home for that long since I was a teenager. Even when I was pregnant, I was traveling a lot to so many different places, so it’s been a long time since I’ve been home that long. [That] was nice, but it’s also a really cool opportunity to come to Kentucky.”

Anisimova opens against former phenom Cici Bellis while Gauff drew a qualifier.