Day 2 Match-Ups

MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

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DAY 2 MATCH-UPS

[MAGDA LINETTE (POL #44) VS. [12] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #13)

Halep leads 1-0

Linette looking for third win this year over a Top 20 opponent… Halep is a three-time finalist, losing

the title match here in 2015, 2017 and 2018…

[Q] HSIEH SU-WEI (TPE #73) VS. CORI GAUFF (USA #24)

First meeting

Hsieh Su-Wei defeated two American women in qualifying – can she defeat another one today? Gauff looking for first win at Western & Southern Open…

[Q] LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA (RUS #52) VS. [14] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #15)

Samonsova leads 1-0

Samsonova is making her Cincinnati main draw debut and playing at career-high No.52… Azarenka

is defending champion having won the title in 2020… also was triumphant here in 2013

[1] ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS #1) VS. [Q] HEATHER WATSON (GBR #67)

First meeting

Barty bidding to be first No.1 to win Western & Southern Open since Serena in 2015… Watson is 0-3 in career vs. World No.1s…

[Q] CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA #63) VS. [WC] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #62)

Garcia leads 3-1 The pair now have a combined 17 main draw appearances here…Garcia is making her seventh main draw appearance here… Stephens her tenth…

Please note – rankings reflect week of Monday August 9, 2021

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1 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

MAGDA LINETTE (POL #44) VS. [12] SIMONA HALEP (ROU #13)

Head-to-head: HALEP leads 1-0

2019 ROLAND GARROS CLAY (O) R64 SIMONA HALEP 6-4 5-7 6-3

LINETTE HALEP Career Prize Money $3,225,213 Career Prize Money $37,581,677 Plays Right-handed Plays Right-handed Date of Birth (Age) Feb. 12, 1992 (29) Date of Birth (Age) September 27, 1991 (29) Singles Titles 2 Singles Titles 22 Tournament W-L (MD) 0-2 Tournament W-L (MD) 21-8 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 10-12 / 102-117 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 11-7 / 404-178 3-Set W-L (YTD / Career) 2-8 / 40-44 3-Set (YTD / Career) 3-2 / 114-58 Tie-Break W-L (YTD / Career) 2-0 / 32-19 Tie-Break (YTD / Career) 0-0 / 51-53 Hard Court W-L (YTD / Career) 3-4 / 85-76 Hard Court (YTD / Career) 7-2 / 227-110 Top 20 W-L (YTD / Career) 2-3 / 3-25 Top 20 W-L (YTD / Career) 2-3 / 104-80 Coach Pawel Rzepecki Coach Darren Cahill

LINETTE: Cincinnati • Making third main draw appearance (sixth overall) at the Western & Southern Open • Has fallen in 1r in both instances in 2017 (as qualifier, l. Abanda) and 2020 (l. Zvonareva); also fell in qualifying in 2016, 2018-19 • Faces Halep today in 1r; fell to the Romanian when they met at 2019 Roland Garros, however saved three match points in the second set before forcing her to a deciding third set • Looking for third win this year over a Top 20 opponent; so far has defeated No.1 Barty who retired during their 2r match at Roland Garros and took out No.5 Svitolina in 2r of Wimbledon • Most recent loss to a Top 20 opponent came to No.3 Sabalenka in 1r of the Olympics • Missed first hard court tournaments of the year due to a right knee injury, made 2021 debut at Miami • With Swiatek, is one of two players from Poland this week • Playing doubles here with American Pera as a wildcard team, set to face Stosur/Zhang in 1r

Season • Coming off QF run at San Jose (l. Kasatkina) and 1r exit at Montreal (l. Podoroska) • Defeated in 1r at the Olympics (l. Sabalenka)

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1 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Fell at first hurdle in qualifying at Eastbourne before advancing to 3r at Wimbledon (l. Badosa) • Returned to form with runs to SF at Strasbourg (l. Cirstea) and 3r at Roland Garros (l. Jabeur) • Suffered 1r exits at Madrid (l. S.Zheng) and Rome (l. Kvitova) • Fell 1r at both WTA events in Charleston, first at Volvo Car Open (l. Anisimova) and then MUSC Health Women's Open (l. Osorio Serrano) • Opened 2021 campaign with 2r showing at Miami (l. Konta) • Missed the start of the season due to right knee injury

Career Milestones • Won second WTA singles title at Hua Hin in 2020 (d. Kung in F), rising to new career-high ranking of No.33 (on February 17) • Posted best result at US Open by advancing to 3r (l. Kontaveit); now has reached this stage at all four Grand Slams • Winner of 2020 WTA Shot of the Year; became the third Polish woman to win this award (after A.Radwanska and Swiatek) • Her 2019 campaign was highlighted by lifting maiden WTA title at the Bronx and finished RUp at Seoul (l. Muchova); broke into Top 50 on September 9, 2019 • Season highlights in 2018 included QF run at Washington DC (l. Vekic); win over No.17 Osaka in 2r was first Top 20 victory – previous careerbest win came over No.21 Gavrilova at 2017 Tokyo [PPO] • Posted first career victories at 2018 Australian Open during 3r run (d. Brady in 1r and No.22 seed Kasatkina in 2r, l. Allertova) • Highlight of 2017 campaign was SF at Kuala Lumpur (l. Hibino). Also made QF at Bogotá and reached 3r at major for first time at Roland Garros • In 2016 enjoyed run to first Premier-level quarterfinal of career at Tokyo [PPO] (as qualifier, l. eventual champion Wozniacki); also advanced to QF at Katowice (l. Parmentier) • Reached maiden WTA singles final at 2015 Tokyo [Japan Open] (l. Wickmayer) • Broke into Top 100 on June 15, 2015 • Played first two WTA main draws in 2013: 2r at Strasbourg (l. Cornet) and SF at Baku (l. Peer) • Made professional debut on ITF Circuit in Poland in 2007; owns 12 singles titles and eight doubles titles on ITF Circuit

HALEP: Cincinnati • Making ninth main draw appearance at Cincinnati (tenth overall) as a three-time finalist reaching the last match in 2015 (l. S.Williams), 2017 (l. Muguruza) and 2018 (l. Bertens) • Most recently fell in 3r of 2019 to eventual champion Keys ending a six-year streak of reaching at least the QF here dating back to 2013 • Faces Linette in 1r today looking for first win since returning from a calf injury that has kept her sidelined since May

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2 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Has not lost to a player outside the Top 40 all year which she did most recently at 2020 Roland Garros falling to No.54 and eventual champion, Swiatek, in the R16 • Best hardcourt results of the year have come from QF runs at the first two tournaments at the Gippsland Trophy (l. Alexandrova) and the Australian Open (l. S.Williams); has since gone 1-1 on the surface with sole win coming at Miami defeating Garcia in the 2r (after 1r bye) before withdrawing ahead of 3r match against Sevastova with a right shoulder injury • Is sole remaining Romanian in the draw after compatriot, Cirstea, lost her 1r match yesterday to Teichmann

Season • Fell in 2r of Montreal (after 1r bye, l. Collins) in her first match since May • Tore calf muscle in 2r match in Rome against Kerber that cause her to withdraw from Roland Garros and miss the entire grass court season • Upset in 3r at Madrid (l. Mertens) • Kicked off clay court campaign with SF run at Stuttgart (l. Sabalenka) • Withdrew w/right shoulder injury prior to 3r match against Sevastova at Miami • Pulled out of Doha and Dubai w/back injury • At Australian Open, reached 15th Grand Slam QF (l. S.Williams) • Opened 2021 season with a QF showing at the Gippsland Trophy (l. Alexandrova)

Career Milestones • Posted a 17-match winning streak in 2020, featuring titles at Dubai, Prague and Rome – the longest streak (at any level) of her career • Victory at 2020 Dubai saw her become the sixth active player to reach 20 career titles • Lifted second Grand Slam title of her career at Wimbledon in 2019 (d. S.Williams in F) • Ended 2018 season as World No.1 for the second time in her career, with season highlighted by maiden major title at Roland Garros (d. Stephens in F) – was the second Romanian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, following in the footsteps of 1978 Roland Garros champion Virginia Ruzici • Opened 2018 season by sweeping singles and doubles titles at Shenzhen – doubles titles w/Begu was the first of her career • Finished 2017 as the year-end World No.1, having ascended to the No.1 spot for first time in career on October 9, 2017 – became the 25th woman to reach the top spot, and the 13th to hold year-end No.1 • Has spent 64 weeks as World No.1 • Made Top 10 debut on January 27, 2014 and has remained there ever since • Breakthrough at Slam level came in 2014, when she made QF at Australian Open (l. Cibulkova), SF at Wimbledon (l. Bouchard) and finished R-Up at Roland Garros (l. Sharapova) • Owns one win over a reigning World No.1: vs. S.Williams in RR at 2014 WTA Finals Singapore • She won her first six WTA titles in the same calendar year in 2013, and was the first to do so since Stefanie Graf in 1986. This led to her being named the WTA Most Improved Player at the end of the year • Between May 2013 and August 2014, improved ranking from No.64 to No.2, winning seven titles • Scored first Top 10 win over then No.6 Li Na in 1r at 2011 US Open

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3 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Broke into Top 100 on October 4, 2010, Top 50 on September 12, 2011 and Top 20 on August 26, 2013 • Has qualified six times for WTA Finals in Singapore (2014-19, although withdrew injured in 2018), reaching final in 2014 (l. S.Williams) • Made WTA main draw debut at 2010 Marbella as a qualifier, reaching quarterfinals • Romanian Fed Cup Team, 2010, 2012, 2014-19; Romanian Olympic Team, 2012 • Made professional debut on ITF Circuit in Romania in 2006

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4 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

[Q] HSIEH SU-WEI (TPE #73) VS. CORI GAUFF (USA #24)

Head-to-head: First career meeting

HSIEH GAUFF Career Prize Money $9,573,532 Career Prize Money $2,071,283 Plays Right-handed Plays Right-handed Date of Birth (Age) January 4, 1986 (35) Date of Birth (Age) March 13, 2004 (17) Singles Titles 3 Singles Titles 2 Tournament W-L (MD) 2-3 Tournament W-L (MD) 0-1 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 5-8 / 148-169 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 31-13 / 52-26 3-Set W-L (YTD / Career) 2-3 / 65-54 3-Set (YTD / Career) 11-5 / 20-12 Tie-Break W-L (YTD / Career) 2-0 / 37-43 Tie-Break (YTD / Career) 10-6 / 16-8 Hard Court W-L (YTD / Career) 5-3 / 107-106 Hard Court (YTD / Career) 11-7 / 27-19 Coach Frederic Aniere Coach Corey Gauff

HSIEH: Cincinnati • Making fourth main draw appearance (eighth overall) at the Western & Southern Open • Earned best result in 2019 reaching R16 defeating No.17 Q.Wang and No.70 Brady before falling to No.1 Osaka in three sets • Has fallen in 1r in two other instances 2008 (as a qualifier, l. Kirilenko) and 2013 (l. Halep); also fell in qualifying in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018 • Came through two rounds of qualifying here to reach the main draw defeating Americans Stearns and Davis • Faces another American, Gauff, today in first WTA main draw match since falling in 1r of Wimbledon (however did reach QF of 125K event in Concord earlier this month) • Looking for first win since QF run at Australian Open after falling in 1r of her five previous tournaments • Will face No.2 seed Osaka in 2r should she win today; Osaka leads their head-to-head record at 5-1 • Seeded No.1 in doubles this week with Mertens, a relatively new partner with whom she won the title in Wimbledon for fourth career Grand Slam doubles title; the two have also reached R16 at Roland Garros and SF at Birmingham

Season • Reached QF at Thoreau Tennis Open 125K (l. Zarazua) • Fell 1r at Wimbledon (l. Swiatek) however won doubles championship w/Mertens for fourth career Grand Slam doubles title and 29th career WTA title Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA

1 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Suffered 1r exit at Birmingham in singles (l. Bouzkova) and made SF in doubles (w/Mertens) • On clay, fell 1r at Madrid (as LL, l. Zidansek), Parma (l. Kasatkina) and Roland Garros (l. Q.Wang). Also contested qualifying at Rome • At Australian Open, advanced to maiden Grand Slam QF (l. eventual champion Osaka); upset No.9 Andreescu in 2r and No.20 Vondrousova in R16 • Fell 1r at Yarra Valley Classic (l. Van Uytvanck) • Made 2r in opening tournament of the season, at Abu Dhabi (l. Kostyuk)

Career Milestones • In doubles, finished 2020 as the WTA Year-End World No.1 for the first time in her career, having first ascended to the top ranking on May 12, 2014 • Posted 1-6 record in singles in 2020, with sole win coming at Roland Garros over Haas before falling to the eventual champion Swiatek • Reached a Tour-leading five doubles finals in 2020 (w/Strycova), lifting titles at Brisbane, Dubai, Doha and Rome, and finishing as runners-up at the Australian Open • Alongside Strycova, the pair posted a 14-match winning streaking between title runs at Dubai, Doha and Rome, and reaching R16 at Roland Garros • The team was nominated for the WTA Doubles Team of the Year award for the second straight year in 2020 • Singles season in 2019 highlighted by SF runs at Auckland (l. Andreescu) and Dubai (l. Kvitova) and QF at Miami (l. Kontaveit) • Reached as high as No.24 in 2019 – one spot shy from her career-high of No.23 (achieved on February 25, 2013) • Registered nine Top 20 wins across the 2019 season, over No.11 Sevastova, No.7 Kerber, No.5 Ka.Pliskova (all at Dubai), No.1 Osaka, No.13 Wozniacki (both at Miami), No.16 Q.Wang (Stuttgart), No.10 Sabalenka (Birmingham), No.17 Q.Wang (Cincinnati) and No.18 Wozniacki (Wuhan) • Enjoyed great success in doubles in 2019, winning her third Grand Slam doubles trophy at Wimbledon (w/Strycova) • Captured three additional doubles titles w/Strycova at Dubai, Madrid and Birmingham and finished as R-Up at WTA Finals Shenzhen (l. Babos/Mladenovic) and Osaka (l. Chan/Chan) • Won third WTA singles title at 2018 Hiroshima – others both coming in 2012 at Kuala Lumpur (as qualifier, d. Martic in F) and Guangzhou (d. Robson in F) • Other highlights of 2018 season were SF runs Auckland (l. eventual champion Goerges), Rabat (l. eventual champion Mertens), Seoul (l. Tomljanovic) and Tianjin (l. Garcia). Also made QF at Strasbourg and equaled best Grand Slam result by reaching R16 at Australian Open and Wimbledon • Upset No.1 Halep during R16 run at 2018 Wimbledon for first win over a reigning World No.1 • Returned to Top 30 on September 17, 2018 for the first time since reaching career high of No.23 on February 25, 2013 • Reached QF at Nanchang (l. Y.Wang) in 2017 and concluded season with runner-up effort at WTA125K Series event at Hua Hin (l. Bencic) • Singles highlights in 2016 included SF run at Kaohsiung (l. Doi) and QF showing at Prague (l. eventual champion Safarova) Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube: www.youtube.com/WTA

2 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Won three doubles titles in 2014, including Roland Garros, alongside Peng Shuai. Also became first player from Chinese Taipei (male or female) to achieve the No.1 doubles ranking on May 12, 2014 – held top spot for five weeks • Lifted maiden Grand Slam doubles title at 2013 Wimbledon (w/Peng, d. Barty/Dellacqua in F) • Lifted first two WTA singles titles in 2012, at first Kuala Lumpur (d. Martic in F) and then Guangzhou (d. Robson in F). Just second player from Chinese Taipei to win a Tour-level singles title (Wang Shi-Ting won six titles in 1990s) • Qualified for 2012 Tournament of Champions-Sofia (went 1-2 in round robin play) • Made her Top 100 debut on January 28, 2008 at No.95 after R16 run at Australian Open (l. No.1 Henin) and her Top 50 debut on September 24, 2012 at No.39 • Chinese Taipei Fed Cup Team, 2003, 2006-08, 2010, 2012, 2015-16; Chinese Taipei Olympic Team, 2012 • On ITF Circuit, winner of 26 singles titles and 23 doubles titles • Played first professional tournament at ITF level in New Zealand in 2001; started career by winning first 33 matches (mix of ITF and tour level)

GAUFF: Cincinnati • Making second appearance at the Western and Southern Open however this is her first time at the Lindner Family Tennis Center • Only competed in this event in 2020 when it was held in New York where she fell 1r to Sakkari • Faces Hsieh; has lost her opening hurdle only twice this year to Sevastova in Miami 2r (after 1r bye) and to No.9 Ka.Pliskova in Madrid 1r • Will face No.2 seed Osaka in 2r should she win today, their head-to-head record is tied at 1-1 • Has fallen to players ranked outside the Top 50 five times already this year: No.371 Boulter at Gippsland Trophy, No.54 Teichmann at Dubai, No.57 Sevastova at Miami, No.61 Sevastova at Eastbourne and most recently to No.71 Giorgi last week in Montreal • Best hardcourt results of the year were SF run in Adelaide (l. Bencic) and QF runs in Dubai (l. Teichmann) and Montreal (l. eventual championi Giorgi) • One of a tournament leading ten American players in the draw • Playing doubles this week w/McNally who whom she’s already won a title with this year in Parma where Gauff also won the singles title; the two are already into the 2r after upsetting the No.5 seeded team of Guarachi/Krawczyk yesterday

Season • Reached seventh QF of the season at Montreal (l. eventual champion Giorgi) • Made 2r at Eastbourne (l. Sevastova) and R16 at Wimbledon (l. Kerber) • At Roland Garros, advanced to maiden Slam QF (l. eventual champion Krejcikova) • Completed sweep of singles (d. Q.Wang in F) and doubles (w/McNally) titles at Parma; the youngest player to win both titles at the same event since Sharapova at 2004 Birmingham

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3 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Advanced to first SF on clay, at Rome (l. eventual champion Swiatek); beat four Top 50 players en route, including No.4 Sabalenka in 3r and No.1 Barty in QF (via ret.) • Reached QF at Charleston (l. Jabeur) and fell 1r at Madrid (l. Ka.Pliskova) • Advanced to QF at Dubai (l. Teichmann), then suffered 2r exit at Miami (after 1r bye, l. Sevastova) • Reached her maiden WTA 500 SF at Adelaide (l. Bencic) – first time she had won back-to-back main draw matches since SF run at 2020 Lexington • Suffered back-to-back 2r exits at Gippsland Trophy (l. Boulter) and Australian Open (l. Svitolina). Reached the doubles QFs at Australian Open (w/McNally, l. No.4 seed Melichar/Schuurs) • Made 2r in opening tournament of season, at Abu Dhabi (l. Sakkari)

Career Milestones • Ended 2020 season at No.48, just one shy of her career high which she reached on October 26, 2020 • First cracked the Top 50 earlier in the season on Feb. 24, 2020 at No.49 following a R16 appearance at Australian Open to tie her career best Grand Slam result – during performance, defeated V.Williams in 1r and her first Top 5 opponent in No.4 Osaka in 3r (l. eventual champion Kenin in 3s) • Enjoyed breakout season in 2019, highlighted by maiden WTA singles title at Linz (as lucky loser, d. Ostapenko in F) - earned her first Top 10 win en route to title over No.8 Bertens in QF • At 15y214d, her title run in Linz made her youngest to win a WTA tour-level title since Vaidisova (15y177d) won Tashkent in 2004 • Also claimed maiden WTA doubles titles at Washington, DC (w/McNally, d. Sanchez/Stollar in F) and Luxembourg (w/McNally, d. Christian/Guarachi in F) • By winning the doubles title at Washington, DC at 15 yrs, 144 days, became the youngest playe to win a doubles title since May 1995 (Martina Hingis won Hamburg at 14 yrs, 219 days) • Reached R16 at 2019 Wimbledon on Grand Slam main draw debut defeating V.Williams in 1r (l. eventual champion Halep) - followed with 3r showing at US Open (as WC, l. Osaka) • Made WTA main draw debut as a wildcard at 2019 Miami where she earned her first WTA main draw win over good friend McNally (l. Kasatkina in 2r) • Made professional debut in May 2018 as a qualifier into the $25K ITF/Osprey, FL-USA • Member of US Billie Jean King Cup team in 2020 • Former Junior World No.1 (July 2018). Won 2018 Roland Garros girls’ title (d. McNally in F) and 2018 US Open doubles title (w/McNally), while finished R-Up at 2017 US Open girls’ event (l. Anisimova) becoming the youngest girls’ singles finalist in US Open history at 13-years-old

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4 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

[Q] LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA (RUS #52) VS. [14] VICTORIA AZARENKA (BLR #15)

Head-to-head: LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA leads 1-0

2021 BERLIN GRASS (O) SF LIUDMILA SAMSONOVA 6-4 6-2

SAMSONOVA AZARENKA Career Prize Money $946,589 Career Prize Money $32,876,728 Plays Right-handed Plays Right-handed Date of Birth (Age) Nov. 11, 1998 (22) Date of Birth (Age) Jul. 31, 1989 (32) Singles Titles 1 Singles Titles 21 Tournament W-L (MD) Main draw debut Tournament W-L (MD) 16-5 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 14-11 / 20-23 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 17-6 / 486-190 3-Set W-L (YTD / Career) 6-3 / 9-7 3-Set (YTD / Career) 6-3 / 94-67 Tie-Break W-L (YTD / Career) 5-3 / 7-5 Tie-Break (YTD / Career) 3-1 / 71-43 Hard Court W-L (YTD / Career) 4-5 / 7-13 Hard Court (YTD / Career) 8-4 / 344-128 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 0-0 / 0-2 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 4-3 / 72-78 Coach Alessandro Dumitrache Coach Maxime Tchoutakian

SAMSONOVA: Cincinnati • Making main draw debut at Cincinnati, having won her way through qualifying with defeats of fellow Russians Vera Zvonareva and Anna Blinkova • Fell in qualifying at last year’s Western & Southern Open, played in New York (l. Pegula, 2r qual.) • Only other result on last year’s summer hardcourt swing was 1r exit on main draw debut at US Open (l. Pironkova) • Coming off 2r effort at Montreal – d. Rybakina in 1r before falling to Sorribes Tormo • Set new career high ranking of No.52 last week (August 9, 2021) • Currently the No.6-ranked Russian woman • Heads into today’s match against No.15 Azarenka with a 4-2 record against Top 20 opponents in 2021, most recently defeating No.12 Bencic in Berlin F (after No.16 Azarenka in SF) • This time last year, was ranked No.120 and made her Top 100 debut only after her R16 run at Wimbledon last month • Best previous result on hardcourts this year was 3r run at Miami as a qualifier, posting wins over Giorgi and Bertens before falling to Sakkari • The last Russian woman to win the title at Cincinnati was Maria Sharapova in 2011 (d. Jankovic in F); three other Russians have lifted the winner’s trophy here – Zvonareva (2006), Anna Chakvetadze (2007) and Nadia Petrova (2008)

Season • Fell 1r at Palermo (l. Q.Zheng) • On main draw debut advanced to R16 at Wimbledon, defeating Kanepi, Pegula and Stephens en route before falling to eventual finalist Ka.Pliskova

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1 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Came through qualifying to lift maiden WTA title at Berlin (d. Bencic in F); was the second qualifier to win a WTA tournament this season (also Tauson at Lyon) • Following Roland Garros, made QF at $25kITF/Grado-ITA and 2r in WTA 125K Series event in Bol • Reached 2r at Parma (as qualifier, l. Martic). Also contested qualifying at Rome and Roland Garros • In Charleston, made 2r at Volvo Car Open (l.Gauff ) then exited in 1r at MUSC Health Women's Open (l. Tauson) Enjoyed 3r run at Miami (as qualifier, l. Sakkari); upset No.11 Bertens in 2r for first career Top 20 win • Fell 1r at Phillip Island Trophy (l. Sorribes Tormo) and Adelaide (as qualifier, l. Martic) • Reached 2r at Australian Open (as qualifier, l. Muguruza); win over Badosa in 1r was first in main draw at a major • Suffered 1r exit at Yarra Valley Classic (l. Pironkova) • Defeated Tsurenko in final round of Australian Open qualifying event in Dubai

Career Milestones • Finished 2020 at No.127, her best season finish to date • Closed out 2020 campaign with R-Up finish at $25k ITF/Reims-FRA • Last season also reached 2r at Brisbane (as qualifier, d. No.24 Stephens, l. No.7 Kvitova) and Palermo (as qualifier, l. Martic), and fell 1r four times (including Australian Open, US Open and Roland Garros); posted career-high ranking of No.114 after Australian Open (February 3, 2020) • Appeared in the first six WTA main draws of her career in 2019, highlighted by SF run at Palermo (l. eventual champion Teichmann), 2r showing at Lausanne (l. Han) and falling 1r on Grand Slam main draw debut at Roland Garros (as qualifier, l. Vekic) • Contested qualifying at a WTA event for the first time at 2019 St. Petersburg, while fell 1r on her main draw bow at Roland Garros that year • Owns four singles titles on the ITF Circuit, most recently at $60K Saint-Malo-FRA in 2018 • Made professional debut at $10K ITF/Gonesse-FRA in 2013

AZARENKA: Cincinnati • Making eighth appearance at Cincinnati, having made her debut here in 2009 • Returns as the defending champion, having won last year’s Western & Southern Open played in New York (d. Osaka in F via walkover); marked first title since 2016 Miami • Indeed is a two-time champion here, having also won the title in 2013 – d. then-World No.1 S.Williams in third set tie-break in F • In other results at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, reached R16 twice (2009, 2015), 2r on two occasions 2018-19) and fell 1r in 2010 • Coming off QF run at Montreal – as No.8 seed, l. top seed and fellow Belarusian, Sabalenka • Backed up last year’s Western & Southern title with sensational run to third US Open final of career, defeating Haas, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Muchova, Mertens and Serena before falling to Osaka; represented first apperance in a Grand Slam final in seven years (2013 US Open, l. S.Williams)

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2 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• All bar one of her 21 career titles have been won on hardcourts (incl. indoors); exception is 2011 Marbella (clay); among active players, only Serena and venus have won more titles on the surface

Season • Made 2r exit at Wimbledon (l. Cirstea) • Withdrew prior to QF against Sorribes Tormo at Bad Homburg w/injury • Enjoyed SF run at Berlin (l. Samsonova); bounced back to win first WTA doubles title in two years (w/Sabalenka, d. Melichar/Schuurs) • Advanced to R16 at Roland Garros (l. Pavluchenkova) • Withdrew prior to 2r match at Madrid w/low back injury • Reached R16 at Miami (l. eventual champion Barty) • Made SF run at Doha (d. No.5 Svitolina in QF, withdrew prior to match vs. Muguruza w/back injury) • Opened season by reaching QF of Grampians Trophy (saved 2 MPs vs. Putintseva in 2r) –withdrew prior to match vs. Kontaveit w/lower back injury – then was upset in 1r at Australian Open (l. Pegula)

Career Milestones • Finished 2020 ranked No.13 – her best season-end ranking since 2013 (No.2) • One of five players to reach three or more finals in 2020, lifting one trophy at the Western & Southern Open – her first title since 2016 • Advanced to her fifth career Grand Slam final at 2020 US Open, which helped her return to the Top 20 for the first time since March 2017 • Winner of the 2020 WTA Comeback Player of the Year Award, as voted on by members of the international media • Last tournament of 2019 was the US Open, where she fell to Sabalenka in 1r; also reached the doubles final w/Barty (l. Mertens/Sabalenka) • Highlight of 2019 was 37th singles final at Monterrey (d. No.5 Kerber in SF, l. Muguruza in Fvia ret. w/leg injury). Also made QFs at Acapulco (l. Kenin), Stuttgart (l. Kontaveit via ret.) and Rome (l. Ka.Pliskova) • On February 2, 2019 returned to Top 50 for first time following the birth of her child, Leo • Highlights of 2018 season included SF at Miami (l. Stephens) and QF at San Jose and Tokyo • Made return to tennis in June 2017 following birth of first child in December 2016 • Comeback tournament was Mallorca, reaching2r (d. Ozaki, l. Konjuh). Prior to 2017 Mallorca, last tournament contested was 2016 Roland Garros (1r) • Followed this with R16 at Wimbledon (l. Halep). Did not play after Wimbledon due to personal reasons • Ended 2016 ranked No.13, despite missing second half of season after going on maternity leave (announced pregnancy mid-July). Lifted three titles, at Brisbane and ‘Sunshine Double’ of Indian Wells and Miami – third woman to achieve feat after Graf in 1994 and 1996 and Clijsters in 2005 • Posted 26-3 record for first six months of 2016with losses coming at the Australian Open (QF, l.Kerber), Rome (2r, l. Begu) and Roland Garros(ret. vs. Knapp w/right knee injury) • Limited to total of 23 events over 2014-15 seasons due to variety of injuries

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3 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Posted five consecutive Top 10 finishes between2009 and 2013, qualifying for the WTA Finals on each occasion (l. Kvitova in 2011 final in Istanbul) • Ascended to World No.1 after 2012 Australian Open and held top spot for a total of 51 weeks • Began 2012 with 26-match win streak – best start since Hingis went 37-0 in 1997. Went on to win Tour-leading 69 matches in 2012, season highlighted by six titles, finishing as WTA’s year-end No.1 • Belarusian Fed Cup Team, 2005, 2007, 2009-11,2015-16, 2019; Belarusian Olympic Team, 2008,2012 • Won two medals for Belarus at 2012 Olympics -bronze in singles and mixed doubles gold(w/Mirnyi) • Made her Top 100 debut on July 10, 2006 (No.99) and Top 50 debut on May 14, 2007 (No.49) • Made WTA main draw debut at 2005 Kolkata • ITF Junior World Champion for 2005 – reached first tour-level semifinal at Guangzhou the same year

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4 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

[1] ASHLEIGH BARTY (AUS #1) VS. [Q] HEATHER WATSON (GBR #67)

Head-to-head: First meeting

BARTY WATSON Career Prize Money $21,104,531 Career Prize Money $4,255,359 Plays Right-handed Plays Right-handed Date of Birth (Age) April. 24, 1999 (25) Date of Birth (Age) May. 19, 1992 (29) Singles Titles 12 Singles Titles 4 Tournament W-L (MD) 7-3 Tournament W-L (MD) 0-2 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 35-7 / 287-101 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 7-12 / 125-166 3-Set W-L (YTD / Career) 14-2 / 67-23 3-Set (YTD / Career) 3-5 / 73-84 Tie-Break W-L (YTD / Career) 8-0 / 35-15 Tie-Break (YTD / Career) 1-7 / 53-53 Hard Court W-L (YTD / Career) 14-3 / 117-44 Hard Court (YTD / Career) 3-7 / 143-143 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 6-1 / 24-21 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 0-1 / 2-18 Coach Craig Tyzzer Coach Alex Ward

BARTY Cincinnati • Making fourth main draw appearance at Western & Southern Open. Her best result here came in 2019, where she reached the SF (l. eventual R-Up Kuznetsova) • Has also made R16 twice, in 2017 (as qualifier, l. Wozniacki, d V.Williams in 2r) and 2018 (l. eventual R-Up Halep) • Is the No.1 seed here this fortnight – the last time the World No.1 and No.1 seed won Cincinnati was S.Williams in 2015 • Playing first Tour level event today since being crowned Wimbledon champion on Saturday July 10 (also played Tokyo Olympics inbetween) • One of two Aussies in the draw (also Sam Stosur, who faces Rybakina in 1r today) • Playing first event of 2021 North American hard court swing at Western & Southern Open (withdrew from Montreal last week) • After 1r bye, opens campaign against No.67 Watson – loss would be worst-by-ranking since falling to No.71 Badosa at 2021 Charleston (WTA 500 event) • Watson came through qualifying – Barty owns a 19-2 record vs. qualifiers in her career. Only qualifiers to beat her are Mladenovic (2019 Rome) and Brady (2020 Brisbane) • Barty also owns a 5-1 record vs. women from Great Britain – lost first match to Konta at 2017 Nottingham but has won her last 5 in a row

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1 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

Season • Coming off 1r exit at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (l. Sorribes Tormo) • Won second Grand Slam title of career at Wimbledon (d. Ka.Pliskova in F). Is fourth junior champion (2011) to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish, joining Jones, Hingis and Mauresmo • Exited Roland Garros in 2r (l. Linette via ret.w/hip injury). Also made QF at Rome (l. Gauff via ret. w/right arm injury) • Finished R-Up at Madrid (l. Sabalenka in F);defeat to No.7 Sabalenka ended a run a 10 consecutive wins over Top-10 opponents • At Stuttgart, won third title of the season at Stuttgart (d. No.9 Ka.Pliskova in QF, No.5 Svitolina in SF and No.7 Sabalenka in F); also won doubles title w/Brady to become first player to sweep both titles since Davenport in 2001 • Kicked off clay court season with QF showing at Charleston (l. Badosa) • Lifted 10th career title, at Miami (d. Andreescuin F via ret. w/left foot injury) – first time defending a title in her career; saved a match point against qualifi er Kucova in 2r - S.Williams in 2007 was the last woman to win Miami after saving a match point • Ended Australian swing with 2r exit at Adelaide (after 1r bye, l. Collins) • Opened season by lifting ninth career title, atthe Yarra Valley Classic (d. Muguruza in F). Followed this by advancing to QF at Australian Open (l. Muchova)

Career Milestones • Finished year-end No.1 for second year in a row in 2020, despite missing all tournaments held after the resumption of play in the summer • Went 12-3 to start 2020 season, results highlighted by fi rst title on home soil, and eighth overall at Adelaide (d. Yastremska in F). Followed up with first SF run at Australian Open(l. eventual champion Kenin) and runner-up finish at Doha (l. Kvitova) • Stellar season in 2019 brought four singles titles–including maiden major at Roland Garros (d. Vondrousova in F) and WTA Finals in Shenzhen (d. Svitolina in F); registered Tour-leading 57match wins, with 11-6 record against Top 10 opponents • Broke into Top 10 after defeating Ka.Pliskova in Fat 2019 Miami (week of April 1) and became first Australian woman in 43 years to secure No.1singles ranking after title run at Birmingham, where she defeated Goerges in F (June 24, 2019) • Other highlights in 2019 included R-Up finishes at Sydney (scored first win over a reigning No.1,Halep, en route; l. Kvitova) and Beijing (l. Osaka)and reached SF at Cincinnati and Wuhan. In doubles, won Rome titles and was R-Up at US Open (both w/Azarenka) • In 2019, spearheaded Australia to its first Billie Jean King Cup final since 1993, against France in Perth; went 1- 1 in singles (d. Garcia, l. Mladenovic) and dropped decisive doubles (w/Stosur) as the French prevailed 3-2 • In 2018, won two singles titles and four doubles titles, finishing the season ranked No.15 insingles and No.7 in doubles; was one of only two players to finish the year in the Top 20 in both disciplines (along with Mertens) • Captured first Grand Slam doubles trophy at2018 US Open (w/Vandeweghe, d. No.1 seeds Krejcikova/Siniakova in SF and No.2 seeds Mladenovic/Babos in F)

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2 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

• Clinched career first WTA singles title at 2017Kuala Lumpur (as qualifier, d. Hibino in F). Made Top 20 debut and became Australia’s No.1 on October 23, 2017 • Qualified for WTA Finals in doubles in 2017(w/Dellacqua) and 2018 (w/Vandeweghe) • After 2014 US Open, took a break from tennis that lasted almost two years. Returned to professional tennis in 2016, having enjoyed a successful stint as an all rounder for the Brisbane Heat cricket team in the 2015 16Women’s Big Bash League • During doubles partnership alongside compatriot Dellacqua, reached three Grand Slam doubles finals in 2013 (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open) and was also R-Up at Roland Garros in 2017 • Presented with Tennis Australia’s Newcombe Medal prize in 2018 and 2019 • Made WTA main draw debut as WC at 2012 Hobart • Won 2011 Wimbledon girls’ singles title; finished season as world No.2 ranked junior behind Khromacheva Played first ITF Circuit event in hometown of Ipswich, Queensland in April 2010

WATSON: Cincinnati • Making sixth overall appearance at Western & Southern Open in 2021, and third in the main draw • On previous outings, fell 1r in 2014 (as qualifier, l. Zhang) and 2020 (l. Pera). Fell in 2013, 2015 and 2017 qualifying • Navigated qualifying successfully in 2021, defeating Volynets and Peterson, both in three sets • Secured first main draw win at Western and Southern Open with defeat of Sasnovich in 1r on Monday, again in three sets • Win snapped four match main draw losing streak, which began with SF loss at Birmingham (l. Jabeur) then had 1r exits at Eastbourne (l. Swiatek), Wimbledon (l. Ahn) and the Olympics (l. Friedsam). Did win 1r qualifying match at Montreal before exiting in 2r qualifying match • Faces World No.1 Barty in today’s 2r match – is third time facing the World No.1, and is 0-3, losing to Azarenka (2012 Miami), S.Williams (2015 Wimbledon) and Kerber (2017 Monterrey) • Best win of career came over No.8 A.Radwanska at 2015 Indian Wells

Season • Fell 1r at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (l. Friedsam) • Also fell 1r at Wimbledon (l. Ahn) • Made bright start to grass court season, reaching 3r at Nottingham (l. Boulter) and then became only the third British woman to make SF at Birmingham (l. eventual champion Jabeur). Also fell 1r at Eastbourne (l. Swiatek) • Contested qualifying at Madrid and fell 1r at Roland Garros (l. Diyas) • Helped Great Britain to a 3-1 win over Mexico in the Billie Jean King Cup play-offs (d. Olmos, l. Zacarias) • Suffered 1r exits at Monterrey (l. LL Dart) and then at Miami (l. Stojanovic) • Fell 1r at Grampians Trophy (l. Kudermetova) and then in 2r at Australian Open (l. Kontaveit) • Made 2r in opening tournament of the season, at Abu Dhabi (l. Alexandrova)

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3 MATCH NOTES: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN CINCINNATI, OH, USA | AUG 16 - 22, 2021 | USD $1,835,490 | WTA1000

Career Milestones • Broke back into Top 50 at No.49 (March 2, 2020) – her highest ranking since June 15, 2015 (No.47) – after a campaign in which she lifted her fourth career title and first since 2016 at Acapulco (d. Fernandez in F) • Defeated No.17 Mertens at 2020 Hobart for first Top 20 win since 2017 Wimbledon (No.19 Sevastova) • Highlight of 2019 was R-Up finish at Tianjin (l. Peterson) • During 2018, won fourth career WTA doubles title at Acapulco (w/ Maria) and reached doubles final at Nottingham (w/ Buzarnescu) • Won mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 2016 (w/Kontinen, d. Farah/Groenefeld in F) and finished R-Up in 2017 (w/Kontinen, l. Hingis/Murray) • Represented Great Britain at 2016 Rio Olympics, reaching 2r in singles (l. Svitolina), 2r in doubles (w/ Konta, l. H.Chan/Y.Chan) and QF in mixed doubles (w/A.Murray, l. Bopanna/Mirza) • Hit career-high singles ranking of No.38 on January 19, 2015 after title run at Hobart • Two Top 10 wins of her career came over against No.8 A.Radwanska (2015 Indian Wells) and No.9 Cibulkova (2017 Eastbourne) • Struggled throughout 2014 season with a right rib injury and missed two months in 2013 due to glandular fever (Miami to Roland Garros) • Enjoyed a breakthrough 2012 season, winning Osaka to become first British woman to win a WTA singles title since Sara Gomer in 1988. Finished year as British No.1 • Broke into Top 100 on June 6, 2011 and made Top 50 debut on October 15, 2012 • On ITF Circuit, winner of six singles and three doubles titles • Made WTA main draw debut as a wildcard at 2010 Miami and recorded first main draw match win at 2010 Eastbourne • Played first professional event on ITF Circuit At 2009 ITF/Jersey-GBR • Member of Great Britain Fed Cup Team, 2011-20 and Great Britain Olympic Team, 2012, 2016 Won US Open junior singles title in 2009 (d. Buchina in F)

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[Q] CAROLINE GARCIA (FRA #63) VS. [WC] SLOANE STEPHENS (USA #62)

Head-to-head: GARCIA leads 3-1

2020 CINCINNATI HARD R1 CAROLINE GARCIA 6-3 7-6(4) 2018 ROME CLAY R16 CAROLINE GARCIA 6-1 7-6(7) 2014 EASTBOURNE GRASS R32 SLOANE STEPHENS 6-2 6-4 2014 FED CUP WEEK2 – PLAYOFFS R2 CAROLINE GARCIA 63 62

GARCIA STEPHENS Career Prize Money $11,136,715 Career Prize Money $16,075,419 Plays Right-handed Plays Right-handed Date of Birth (Age) Oct. 16, 1993(27) Date of Birth (Age) Mar. 20, 1993 (28) Singles Titles 7 Singles Titles 6 Tournament W-L (MD) 4-6 Tournament W-L (MD) 14-9 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 17-18 / 242-198 YTD / Career W-L (MD) 15-13 / 239-174 3-Set W-L (YTD / Career) 13-5 / 61-41 3-Set (YTD / Career) 3-5 / 74-58 Tie-Break W-L (YTD / Career) 2-2 / 27-24 Tie-Break (YTD / Career) 2-2 / 60-32 Hard Court W-L (YTD / Career) 15-5 /101-78 Hard Court (YTD / Career) 1-6 / 66-50 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 0-2 / 17-43 Top 10 W-L (YTD / Career) 2-1 / 19-37 Coach Gabriel Urpi Coach Darian King

Garcia: Cincinnati • Making 7th main draw appearance at Cincinnati. Best result here was R16 runs in 2018 (l. Sabalenka) and in 2015 (l. Svitolina) • On most recent outing here made R32 (l. eventual champion Azarenka) in 2020 • Faces Stephens in 1r; won in two tight sets when they met here last year in 2020 • Only one player from France to reach 1r in main draw (as a qualifier) • During last year’s summer hard-court season, fell 2r at Western & Southern Open before reaching 3r at US Open • Has won three hard-court titles in her career, at Wuhan and Beijing in 2017 and Tianjin in 2018

Season • Reaching 2r at San Jose last week (l. Kasatkina) • Suffered 1r loss at Tokyo Olympics (l. Vekic) • Suffered 1r defeat at Hamburg (l. Niemeier) and advanced to SF at Lausanne (l. Burel) • On grass, made 2r at Birmingham (l. Bouzkova) before falling in qualifying at Eastbourne and in 1r at Wimbledon (l. Pegula) • Fell 2r at Rome (as WC, l. Kudermetova), Strasbourg (l. Krejcikova) and Roland Garros (l.Hercog) • Reached 3r at Dubai (l. Mertens) and 2r at Miami (l. Halep) • Fell 2r on home soil at Lyon (l. Golubic) • Suffered 1r exits at Phillip Island Trophy (l. Doi) and Adelaide (l. Sevastova)

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• Made 2r at Australian Open (l. eventual champion Osaka) and posted 3r showing at Gippsland (l. eventual champion Mertens)

Career Milestones • Best results in 2020 came at Slams, reaching R16 at Roland Garros (l. Svitolina) and 3r at US Open (l. Brady) • Defeated No.3 Ka.Pliskova in 2r at Flushing Meadows to record her first Top 10 win since 2018 Tianjin title (d. No.6 Ka.Pliskova in F) • Highlights of 2019 campaign include capturing her seventh career WTA singles title at Nottingham and reaching the finals at Strasbourg • Member of French Fed Cup team that won the 2019 competition final vs. Australia, teaming up with Mladenovic to win the decisive doubles runner against Barty/Stosur. Also took part in the team that advanced to 2016 Fed Cup final vs. Czech Republic • Fell out of the Top 20 on March 18, 2019 after holding her position there since August 14, 2017 • In 2018, won sixth career title at Tianjin; also made semifinals at Stuttgart and Madrid • Broke into the Top 5 on August 13, 2018 and reached a career-high of No.4 on September 10, 2018 • Became first player to win Wuhan and Beijing back-to-back in 2017. As a result, qualified for WTA Finals. Was ranked No.30 on the Race to Singapore leaderboard in May 2017 • Best win of her career came over No.2 Halep in 2017 Beijing final • In 2017, lifted first Premier-5 level title at Wuhan and first Premier-Mandatory crown at Beijing; subsequently made Top 10 debut • Won a career-best 48 main draw matches in 2017 (48-22 record, two titles), Advanced to QF at 2017 Roland Garros (l. Ka.Pliskova) for best Grand Slam singles result to date • Advanced to QF at 2017 Roland Garros (l. Ka.Pliskova) for best Grand Slam singles result to date • Qualifying for WTA Finals in 2017, became the first Frenchwoman to compete at WTA Finals in singles since Mauresmo in 2006 (l. Henin in F) • At 2016 Roland Garros w/Mladenovic, won first major doubles title. They were the first French pair to win in Paris since 1971, when Gail Chanfreau and Francoise Durr triumphed • Represented France at 2016 Rio Olympics in singles (2r) and doubles (1r, w/Mladenovic) • Member of French Fed Cup team that advanced to 2016 competition final vs. Czech Republic • Played 2015 WTA Finals Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore (l. Osaka in F) • Made professional debut at 13 on ITF Circuit in France in 2007 • In juniors, singles runner-up at 2011 US Open (l. Min) and was a semifinalist at the other three Slams

STEPHENS: Cincinnati Follow WTA on Twitter: www.twitter.com/WTA Facebook: www.facebook.com/WTA YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/WTA 2

• Making 10th main draw appearance at Cincinnati • Previous best result at Cincinnati was SF run in 2017 (l. Halep) • Faces Garcia in 1r today; lost to Garcia in their 1r meeting here last year • Three of her six career titles have come at American hard-court tournaments: 2015 Washington DC, 2017 US Open, 2018 Miami • During last year’s summer hard-court season, fell 1r at Lexington and Western & Southern Open before reaching 3r at US Open

Season • Fell 2r at San Jose (l. eventual champion Collins) • Reached 3r at Wimbledon (d. No.10 Kvitova in 1r, l. Samsonova) • Produced SF showing at Parma (l. Q.Wang), then reached R16 at Roland Garros (l. eventual champion Krejcikova) • Fell 2r at Madrid (l. Jabeur) and 1r at Rome (as LL, L. Keys) • At Charleston, advanced to her first QF in nearly two years (l. Kudermetova) • Reached 2r at Miami (l. Anisimova); recovered from dropping first set to defeat Dodin in 1r – her first win of the season • Made 1r exit as No.1 seed in Monterrey (l. LL Kucova) • Started 2021 season going 0-3 in Australian swing falling 1r at Grampians Trophy (l. Fernandez), Australian Open (l. Putintseva) and Phillip Island Trophy (l. Gracheva)

Career Milestones • Put together a 4-11 record in 2020, including falling 1r at first four tournaments of the season at Brisbane, Adelaide, Australian Open and Acapulco • Season highlights included 3r run at US open (l. S.Williams) and 2r at Roland Garros (l. Badosa) • Finished 2019 season ranked No.25; campaign was highlighted by SF at Madrid (l. eventual champion Bertens) and QF at Roland Garros (l. Konta) • Also made R16 at Australian Open (l. Pavlyuchenkova), Cincinnati (l. Kuznetsova), and Wuhan (l. Kvitova) • In 2018 posted best year-end finish of career to date, at No.6; reached career-high No.3 ranking on July 16, 2018 • Season highlights in 2018 included capturing first Premier Mandatory title at Miami – subsequently made Top 10 debut at No.9. Also reached her second Grand Slam final, at Roland Garros and posted R-Up finishes at Montréal and WTA Finals • Won her maiden Grand Slam title at 2017 US Open, d. Keys 6-3 6-0 to become the fifth unseeded player to win a major in the Open Era • Voted 2017 WTA Comeback Player of the Year. Returned to action at Wimbledon after 11 months on sidelines w/foot injury (had surgery in the January)

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• After 1r loss at 2017 Washington DC, went 15-2 through US Open title run, including back-to-back SF at Toronto and Cincinnati • Won three titles in 2016, at Auckland, Acapulco and Premier-level Charleston. Won maiden singles title in first final contested at 2015 Washington, DC • At No.97 was youngest player in year-end Top 100 in 2011; and after a phenomenal sophomore season, reached No.38 and was the youngest player, and the only teenager, in the year-end Top 50 in 2012 • Made Top 20 debut on January 29, 2013 and WTA main draw debut at 2010 Bastad (d. Brianti in 1r, l. Pennetta)

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