The week after Wimbledon (11-17 July), the tour continues with the two clay court events in Gstaad and in Bucharest. Bucharest has been a regular stop on the WTA tour the past two years, while Gstaad is a new event which replacing Bad Gastein.
As the entry lists were announced, the biggest surprise was that many big names have committed, mainly locals and clay court specialists, despite the fact that it is a clay tournament one week after Wimbledon.
Timea Bacsinszky top name on Gstaad entry list
Timea Bacsinszky is projected to be the top seed in Gstaad. The world number ten is the second best Swiss player in the rankings right now, but most probably the best on clay. The French Open quarterfinalist, and last year's semifinalist, will look forward to playing in front of her home crowd, even if she must make the transition from grass to clay within a matter of days.
Her road will not be easy. The number two seed is projected to be clay court specialist Carla Suarez Navarro. The Spaniard never excels on grass so she probably planned her schedule this way so she can regroup and make up for lost points on her favorite clay. She will certainly be tough competition for the Swiss first seed and a meeting between them in an International-level event will be a blockbuster.
Annika Beck, who made the second week last year in the French Open, the Strasbourg champion Caroline Garcia, the always-dangerous on clay Daria Gavrilova, Julia Goerges, Johanna Larsson, and French Open Semifinalist and Nurenberg Champion Kiki Bertens are all projected to round out the top 8 seeds. That means that it is a packed field and if they are not tired from potential runs in the All England Club, there may be some amazing matches.
Simona Halep leads the field in Bucharest
2014 Champion, local, and world number six Simona Halep is making her return in Bucharest this year according to the entry list. Halep always loves the atmosphere in Bucharest and the Romanian fans. Last year, even though she did not play, she was there to train and participate in the kids day.
In contrast to Bacsinszky, the Romanian has an easier field to contend with. Last year's runner-up and champion, Sara Errani and Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, who are both struggling with their form, will be there projected to be second and fifth seeds. Romanian local Monica Niculescu, whose game does not suit on clay, though, and Stuttgart finalist Laura Siegemund will be there as well. Last but not least, French Open quarterfinalist Yulia Putintseva and the always powerful Danka Kovinic are due to play.