Venue Location
Seoul Olympic Park Tennis Center (Olympic Park Tennis Courts), Seoul, South Korea. Outdoor hard courts. The main stadium holds around 10,000 spectators.
Starting Date and Time
The tournament runs from September 21–27, 2026 (22nd edition).
Qualifying: September 19–20.
Main draw: Began Monday, September 21. Sessions typically start around midday local time (Korea Standard Time, UTC+9), with Center Court often from ~12:30 p.m. and later sessions possible. Exact daily order of play is released the evening prior and can adjust for weather or completions. Finals are scheduled for Sunday, September 27.
Tournament Overview
This is a WTA 250 event on outdoor hard courts (downgraded from WTA 500 status in 2024–2025). Total commitment is approximately US $283,347. Singles draw: 32 players; doubles: 16 teams. Winner receives 250 ranking points and about $37,390. It forms part of the early Asian swing alongside Singapore.
Injury Report / Withdrawals
Several players withdrew and were replaced:
Nikola Bartůňková → Anastasia Zakharova
Darja Vidmanova → Elvina Kalieva
Additional reported withdrawals in broader lists included names such as McCartney Kessler, Ashlyn Krueger, Petra Marčinko, and Liudmila Samsonova (replaced by players including Emerson Jones, Sofia Kenin, Yue Yuan, and Tamara Zidanšek).
No major late injury concerns were widely reported for the top seeds at the start of the week, though fitness after prior hard-court events should be monitored. Local wildcards (Sohyun Park, Dayeon Back, Yeonwoo Ku) add home interest.
Key Players and Seeds
Jeļena Ostapenko (LAT, ~No. 32; also a wildcard) – former champion (2017)
Kimberly Birrell (AUS, ~No. 56)
Lanlana Tararudee (THA, ~No. 61)
Elena-Gabriela Ruse (ROU, ~No. 65)
Maya Joint (AUS, ~No. 68)
Anna Bondár (HUN, ~No. 69)
Magda Linette (POL, ~No. 74)
Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB, ~No. 76)
Other notables include Sofia Kenin, Katie Volynets, Yue Yuan, Robin Montgomery, and several qualifiers/wildcards. Early results on Day 1 included wins for players such as Alina Korneeva, Darya Astakhova (Q), Lanlana Tararudee, Dayeon Back (WC), Maya Joint, and Kamilla Rakhimova.
Player Matchups and Potential Storylines
Ostapenko as top seed/wildcard: The powerful Latvian is the highest-ranked player and a past winner here. Her aggressive style suits hard courts; first-round matchup vs. Anastasia Zakharova. Strong potential for a deep run if serving well.
Australian depth: Birrell (No. 2 seed), Joint (No. 5), and others like Taylah Preston, Emerson Jones create multiple paths.
Home interest: Korean wildcards (Park, Back, Ku) against higher-ranked opponents (e.g., Park vs. Montgomery) will draw local support.
Other intrigue: Tararudee and Ruse as solid mid-seeds; experienced players like Linette, Kenin, and Zidanšek; qualifier surprises. Potential later-round clashes could feature Ostapenko against rising Asian or Australian players. The relatively open field (no top-20 presence) increases upset potential.
Recent Form
Jeļena Ostapenko: Experienced campaigner with big-hitting game; returning as a past champion seeking ranking points.
Kimberly Birrell and Maya Joint: Australian players showing consistent hard-court form in 2026.
Lanlana Tararudee: Rising Thai player with strong recent results.
Broader field: Many competitors are transitioning from the North American hard-court swing or Challenger-level events. Outdoor hard courts in Seoul typically favor aggressive baseliners and those comfortable with variable conditions.
Tournament History
Founded in 2004 as a WTA International (later 250). It has a long tradition at the Olympic Park venue. Notably upgraded to WTA 500 for 2024–2025 (won by Iga Świątek in 2025) before returning to WTA 250 status in 2026. Past champions include Ostapenko (2017) and other established names. It remains a key Asian stop with strong local support.
Betting Trends
Highest seeds and past champions often perform well, but the absence of top-20 players creates volatility and value on mid-tier seeds or in-form players.
Outdoor hard courts reward aggressive styles (suits Ostapenko).
Home support can boost Korean wildcards in early rounds.
Early results already influenced some lines (e.g., underdogs or qualifiers advancing).
Look for value on set handicaps, total games, or players with strong recent hard-court records. Live betting is useful given session times and potential weather impacts.
