Kuznetsova, Ostapenko withdraw from Auckland, Serena to now face Giorgi

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The 2020 ASB Classic's stacked field has lost two of its four Grand Slam champions as both No.7 seed Jelena Ostapenko

and Svetlana Kuznetsova withdrew ahead of their first-round matches.

🔔 Due to the withdrawal of Ostapenko
& Kuznetsova, two lucky losers have found spots in the main draw.

Congratulations to Li, Lepchenko, Minnen, & Giorgi on qualifying & to Arconada & Bonaventure on their lucky loser additions.

Updated draw - https://t.co/C7ED3yHZD3 pic.twitter.com/mR9TVV8HL3
— ASB Classic (@ASB_Classic) January 6, 2020

Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, posted on social media: "Due to personal reasons, I unfortunately have to withdraw from the ASB Classic here in Auckland. I am looking forward to be back competing soon." The Latvian, who had been due to open against Laura Siegemund

with a potential second-round rematch of the Linz final against awaiting, has been replaced in her seeded slot by No.9 seed Alison Van Uytvanck.

Due to personal reasons, I unfortunately have to withdraw from the ASB Classic here in Auckland. I am looking forward to be back competing soon 🙏🏻🎾
— Jelena Ostapenko (@JelenaOstapenk8) January 5, 2020

Kuznetsova, the winner of the 2004 US Open and Roland Garros 2009, was forced to pull out due to a viral illness. The Russian had been due to face No.1 seed Serena Williams in the first round. Due to both withdrawals taking place prior to main draw play commencing, the six open spaces in the draw were allocated between four qualifiers - Varvara Lepchenko

, , and Camila Giorgi - and two lucky losers, Usue Maitane Arconada and Ysaline Bonaventure. Williams will now open against Giorgi. The full updated draw can be found here.

Alex Macpherson