Sabalenka Withdraws From China Open, Swiatek Gains Ground

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the China Open in Beijing, the tournament confirmed Wednesday, handing rival Iga Swiatek a clearer path to the yearend top ranking after the Pole captured the Korea Open title in Seoul on Sunday. Sabalenka cited a minor injury and will instead target a return at the Wuhan Open in early October, while Swiatek's Seoul victory added 500 ranking points and renewed talk of a potential late charge for the No 1 spot.

The China Open said Sabalenka pulled out because of a minor injury sustained at the US Open. The Belarusian released a brief statement via the tournament, saying she would focus on being fully healthy for the remainder of the season. Organizers and Sabalenka's camp did not provide details on the injury or a recovery timetable.

Swiatek beat Ekaterina Alexandrova in a rain-interrupted Seoul final, rallying from a first-set loss to win 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 and claim the 25th title of her WTA career. It was her third trophy of 2025 after Wimbledon and Cincinnati, and the victory earned her 500 ranking points because she did not compete in the Korea Open last year. Swiatek described the win as hard-fought, saying she had to "dig out...