WTA 250 Auckland draw: Osaka-Mertens quarter-final, Keys-Raducanu semi-final potential

The first final tables for the tournaments of the 2025 season are starting to fall.

After the ATP and WTA tournaments in Brisbane, Auckland has unveiled the draw for the women's event to be held from Monday December 30.

Despite Simona Halep's withdrawal from the tournament, a number of big names are expected to be in New Zealand.

The tournament's top seed, Madison Keys, will face Lucia Bronzetti in the first round.

If all goes well for the American through to the last four, she could meet Emma Raducanu at this stage of the competition.

The 2021 US Open winner will take on Robin Montgomery in her opening match, and could face Jule Niemier in the second round.

Number 2 seed Elise Mertens has inherited a draw within her reach until the quarter-finals, where a potential clash with Naomi Osaka could be on the cards.

The Japanese will start against a qualifier. While no Frenchwoman is currently in the draw, Selena Janicijevic is just one win away from qualifying.

Finally, two former Grand Slam winners are also present. They are Sofia Kenin (who will face Wang Xiyu) and Sloane Stephens (who will face compatriot Ann Li).