Wuhan without Beijing finalists: Zheng and Andreeva withdraw, Eala out early
China Open champion Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva miss the year's final WTA 1000 event. Aryna Sabalenka is top seed as she chases a fourth Wuhan title.
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Both China Open finalists are missing from the WTA 1000 event in Wuhan. Zheng Qinwen, who beat Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in Beijing on Sunday to become the first Chinese champion there, withdrew. The WTA cited a right shoulder injury, while Zheng said: "My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches." Wuhan, she added, is where her tennis dream began. Andreeva also pulled out, citing a schedule change, according to the tournament.
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina and defending champion Coco Gauff had already withdrawn; Gauff said her body needed time to rest and recover after a long year. That leaves Aryna Sabalenka as top seed – she won Wuhan in 2018, 2019 and 2024.
On Monday's opening day, 13th seed Alexandra Eala lost 6-4, 3-6, 3-6 to qualifier Shi Han. Jasmine Paolini (6-3, 6-4 over Sara Bejlek), Maria Sakkari (6-4, 6-2 over Donna Vekic) and Leylah Fernandez (6-4, 3-6, 6-3 over Ekaterina Alexandrova) reached the second round. The final is scheduled for Sunday, October 18.