World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her Wuhan Open title next week, returning from a short injury layoff, while Chinese star Zheng Qinwen has withdrawn from the tournament.
Sabalenka, who won her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open last month, skipped this week’s China Open in Beijing due to what she described as a minor injury. However, the 27-year-old Belarusian is expected to be fit in time for the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan, where she is the reigning champion and a three-time winner.
The tournament’s main draw begins on Monday and will also feature top contenders Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, the latter still in action at the China Open semi-finals this weekend.
In a major blow for the home crowd, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has pulled out of the tournament. The Chinese world number nine, who hails from Wuhan, has been recovering from elbow surgery and retired during her third-round match in Beijing earlier this week.
Zheng, who reached the final in Wuhan last year before losing to Sabalenka, said in a video message: “Unfortunately my body has not returned to its best condition. After discussing with doctors and my team, I regretfully and unfortunately withdrew from this year’s Wuhan Open.
“I’m very grateful for the support from all tennis fans, especially those from my hometown.”
