The 2016 BNP Paribas Open WTA Draw took place on Monday, March 7th with eager fans looking on. At first glance, there are a few quick insights.  With the draw comprised of four main sections or quarters, the following players headline the quarters:  Serena Williams, Agnieszka Radwanska, Garbine Muguruza, and the 2016 Australian Open Champion, Angelique Kerber.

Serena’s Quarter

The immediate stand-out is the classic Williams sisters pairing. There is an opportunity for the sisters to meet again in the quarterfinals. However, Simona Halep may have other ideas.  

At age 35, 2015 saw Venus climb back in the top 10, and Serena has stated that Venus is her toughest opponent. The two last met in the quarterfinals at the 2015 U. S. Open. The 2016 BNP Paribas Open also marks the return of Venus to the event after a long hiatus.

At the opposite end of this quarter is Serena’s other likely foe, No. 5 Simona Halep. Simona is always a formidable opponent because she is a tenacious fighter. If she has recovered from injuries sustained at the end of 2015, look for her to come out on top to face Serena in the quarterfinals.

Potential spoilers in this quarter include a determined veteran fighter in Sara Errani, who has doubles skills in her arsenal, and Andrea Petkovic, who had a very successful 2015. In February, moreover, Andrea defeated Muguruza in Doha.  

Agnieszka’s Quarter

Where to begin? This quarter is a diverse mixture of talent and achievement. I could see Aga against any number of opponents for a spot in the final four. Opposite Radwanska is former Wimbledon and 2015 Madrid Open champion Petra Kvitova.  Add in returning powerhouse Dominika Cibulkova, Heather Watson, who won the Monterrey title two days ago, former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, big server Coco Vandeweghe, and skillful Lucie Safarova. Lucie had a stellar 2015 in singles and doubles until she came down with a bacterial illness that caused her to withdraw from the 2016 Australian Open.  

There are also rising star Madison Keys, who can trade punches with anyone, and lastly Sabine Lisicki, who also owns four WTA singles titles. Radwanska ended 2015 with a bang, winning the WTA Finals. Her 2016 campaign start has been positive, including a semifinal appearance in Doha. But “the wizard” from Poland will need all of her skills to come out on top of this quarter.

Garbine’s Quarter

Muguruza’s star has been rising for the past few years. She has risen from No. 21 in 2014 to No. 3 at the end of 2015. She has made great progress at Grand Slams, including reaching the 2015 Wimbledon final.  She also defeated Serena at the 2014 French Open, proving she can trade blows with the best. However, opposite Garbine is Swiss rising star Belinda Bencic.

Bencic broke into the headlines in 2015 by defeating Kerber, Jankovic, Radwanska, Wozniacki, Ivanovic, Halep, and Serena.  She is currently ranked No. 7, and nobody will want to see her on the other side of the net.

Also, Vika is back. Smack in the middle of this quarter are former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka and hard-hitting rising star Elina Svitolina. Azarenka is making steady progress to regaining top form and shows no sign of complacency. After her injury time away from the game, she is back with renewed motivation. In 2015, Svitolina climbed 10 spots to end the year at No. 19. She is fresh off a title win in Kuala Lumpur and is now ranked No. 14.

Roberta Vinci also may have something to say. Vinci put an end to the Serena Slam at the 2015 U. S. Open, and while she lacks power, she is a master of cunning and placement. Ask Serena how challenging that is. Finally, Caroline Wozniacki is in this quarter. Despite injuries and less than consistent results of late, Caroline is a fighter. She has belief in her abilities, so never count her out.

Angelique’s Quarter

Kerber has honed her fitness to a new level, and the results speak for themselves. Opposite her is 2015 Miami Open runner-up Carla Suarez Navarro. Meanwhile, Eugenie Bouchard, on the mend from her concussion, is raising her game. The middle of this quarter is packed with several players who can spell danger for anyone. The short list is Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, Sloane Stephens, Timea Bacsinszky, Tsvetana Pironkova, Karolina Pliskova, and not-to-be forgotten veteran No. 18 Ana Ivanovic. Despite a healthy list of challengers, Kerber is likely to come out on top here.

While the 2016 BNP Paribas Open WTA draw contains some likely outcomes, there are no guarantees. Up-and-coming players and former champions like Azarenka will mount serious campaigns to oust the favorites. Both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open March events are critical for players as an opportunity to build ranking points and gain a favorable position going into the clay season. Players with nothing to lose and everything to gain can sometimes be the most dangerous. This draw promises unpredictable wins and epic battles. Stay tuned!