Andreescu Joins Wuhan Qualifying, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Osaka Lead Primary Draw

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka arrives at airport for Dongfeng • Voyah Wuhan Open. Picture credit score: Wuhan Open/CVG

2019 US Open champion and former World No.7 Bianca Andreescu headlines a powerful qualifying area at this 12 months’s DONGFENG • VOYAH WUHAN OPEN, the place play will get underway within the qualifying rounds on Saturday.

Andreescu, whose rating has dropped attributable to damage, has taken a wildcard into a really robust qualifying draw on the closing WTA 1000 match of the season. She’s going to tackle Tereza Valentova on Saturday.

Qualifying, which takes place over two rounds and begins tomorrow, will characteristic Prime 50 gamers equivalent to rising American star and qualifying prime seed Iva Jovic (ranked 36), Filipina sensation Alex Eala, doubles World No.1 Ekaterina Siniakova, Australians Kimberley Burrell and Ajla Tomljanovic and Briton Katie Boulter. 

Naomi Osaka in Wuhan apply. Picture credit score: Wuhan Open/CVG

Three-time Wuhan Open champion and up to date US Open winner Aryna Sabalenka and Wimbledon winner Iga Swiatek lead the sector in Wuhan, the place outcomes may have a giant say wherein of the 2 gamers finishes year-end No.1 within the WTA rankings given the 1000 rating factors on provide to the champion. The occasion additionally boasts a complete prizemoney purse of $3,654,963. 

Coco Guaff, who was a semi-finalist final 12 months in Wuhan and appears to thrive on Chinese language courts, is one other contender for the distinguished title. Wimbledon and US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova, World No.7 Jessica Pegula, teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini, former US Open champion Emma Raducanu and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka will likely be amongst her rivals. 

Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Raducanu and Osaka are 5 of eight Grand Slam winners on this 12 months’s Wuhan Open Primary Draw, together with Elena Rybakina (Wimbledon), Jelena Ostapenko (Roland Garros) and Sofia Kenin (Australian Open). 

Wuhan native Qinwen Zheng, who was runner as much as Sabalenka final 12 months, has been compelled to withdraw from the match. The World No.9 not too long ago underwent surgical procedure on an elbow damage and needed to retire from her second spherical match on the China Open on Sunday.  

Qinwen Zheng will likely be changed by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maniero within the draw. The Primary Draw will likely be made tomorrow (Saturday) at 4pm native time.