Sabalenka Begins Wuhan Open Title Defense as Top Seed

Aryna Sabalenka arrived in Wuhan this week to begin her title defence at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, with main draw play scheduled to start Monday, October 6. The World No. 1 has not competed since retaining her US Open crown and is the top seed in a 56-player field that includes Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula and Emma Raducanu.

Sabalenka is a three-time champion in Wuhan, having won the event in 2018, 2019 and 2024, and she has not lost at the tournament since her debut in 2018, compiling a 17-0 record there. She skipped the China Open in Beijing after reporting a small injury following the US Open and said she withdrew to focus on being fully healthy for the remainder of the season. The Wuhan Open is viewed by players as a key late-season event and a final competitive tune-up before the WTA Finals.

As the top seed Sabalenka receives a first-round bye and is projected to face Anna Kalinskaya or Rebecca Sramkova in her opening match. Her section of the draw could place her against former Grand Slam champions Sofia Kenin, Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina before the semifinals, and a deeper run would likely bring Jessica Pegula or Amanda Anisimova as...