The penultimate WTA-1000 tournament of the season takes place at the China Open. US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka hopes to boost her chances of finishing as the year-end No. 1 by winning the event held in Beijing. Coco Gauff and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini are two other top players on the entry list. Unfortunately, several players have withdrawn from the China Open. This article lists who have elected to withdraw and then names their replacements in the draw.
Eight WTA Players Withdraw From China Open
Which Players Have Withdrawn?
Iga Swiatek was the most high-profile player to withdraw from the China Open. The Pole said she could not play in Beijing due to personal reasons. Swiatek and Sabalenka are locked in a battle to end the year as world No. 1, and her rival’s absence gives Sabalenka an ideal chance to close the gap to the current No. 1.
Danielle Collins was another Top 10 player to withdraw from the China Open. She cannot compete at the WTA 1000 tournament because of illness, which damages her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up is one place below Emma Navarro, who occupies the final spot for the year-end tournament.
Two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur is also unable to compete at the penultimate WTA-1000 event of 2024. Unlike Swiatek and Collins, this was not unexpected. She ended her season last week because of a shoulder injury that has been hampering her for a significant period.
Maria Sakkari was also forced to withdraw from the China Open. The Greek No. 1 retired from her US Open first-round match against Wang Yafan with a shoulder injury. That issue prevented her from defending the title she won last year at the Guadalajara Open, and she has not recovered in time for the event in Beijing.
Karolina Pliskova, Victoria Azarenka, Linda Noskova, and Sorana Cirstea also withdrew.
Who Replaces Those Players in the Draw?
The home favorite Wang Qiang benefits from Swiatek’s decision to withdraw from the China Open. The former US Open quarterfinalist’s final WTA tournaments will be during the current Asian swing before the 32-year-old officially retires after next year’s Chinese National Games. She may have received a wild card anyway, but that is no longer necessary.
Ana Bogdan replaces Collins at the China Open. The Romanian has never played in the tournament’s main draw, but she will get her opportunity this year. Bogdan usually plays her best tennis on clay, but that does not mean she cannot perform on hardcourts.
Jabeur’s withdrawal hands Mayar Sherif an opportunity. The Egyptian is one of the biggest clay-court specialists on the WTA Tour. Therefore, any victories in Beijing will be a bonus for the gritty and determined Sherif.
Laura Siegemund takes Maria Sakkari’s place at the China Open. The German veteran will feel confident after reaching the final of the Thailand Open in Hua Hin last week, losing to Rebecca Sramkova. Siegemund could cause some upsets if she repeats her level from her run in Hua Hin.
Camila Osorio, Anna Bondar, Harriet Dart, and Lucia Bronzetti were the other players who came into the draw.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
