Wuhan Open Preview: Sabalenka Aims for Fourth Consecutive Title and Swiatek Set for Showdown
The battle for the year-end top spot heats up as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek prepare to clash in the Wuhan Open. Read more about the tournament.
“I just didn't want to rush my body into the tournament, so I think we made the right decision to take extra time...”
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up for the Wuhan Open, her first tournament since winning the US Open. After taking a month off to recharge, Sabalenka feels “physically ready” to take on the competition. The Belarusian tennis star is seeking a record-extending fourth title in Wuhan, where she previously won in 2018, 2019 and 2024.
Sabalenka's road to victory won't be easy, though. She faces a challenging draw, potentially meeting former Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina, or Anna Kalinskaya in the early stages. Her quarterfinal opponent could be one of these players, while her semifinal opponent might be Amanda Anisimova or Jessica Pegula.
Tournament Details:
- Wuhan Open: A WTA 1000 event in central China
- Sabalenka's opponents: Potentially Anna Kalinskaya, Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, Amanda Anisimova, or Jessica Pegula
- Current ranking: Sabalenka is currently ranked world number one, ahead of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff
Sabalenka's focus now shifts to Wuhan, where she aims to maintain her top ranking and prepare for the WTA Finals. With Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff also in contention, the battle for the top spot is heating up.
"I would rate my season as a pretty successful season," she said. "The goal is to stay the same, to improve myself every day, to keep the position of world number one, to see how far I can get in this sport and how much I can win." Aryna Sabalenka before playing in Wuhan 👀👀😉 pic.twitter.com/jA5Y9mUfCq
— Liviefromparis 🇫🇷🤸🏼♀️🎾 (@Livieparis2024) October 5, 2025
Aryna Sabalenka is set to make her mark at the Wuhan Open, where she's riding high with a flawless 17-0 record. She's gunning for her fourth consecutive title at the tournament, a feat that would solidify her dominance on the court's fast hard surfaces. Sabalenka's powerful baseline play and aggressive style make her a top contender.
Sabalenka's 27 years of experience and current world number one ranking have given her an edge, but she's not taking anything for granted. A successful title defense would not only add to her trophy cabinet but also help her maintain her lead over Iga Swiatek in the battle for the year-end top spot. Swiatek, however, is a formidable opponent, and Sabalenka knows she'll need to bring her A-game.
“I just didn't want to rush my body into the tournament, so I think we made the right decision to take extra time for recovery and for the preparation, and now physically, I feel ready to go.”
Aryna Sabalenka's road to success this year wasn't straightforward. She faced tough losses at major tournaments, including the Australian Open final to Madison Keys, the French Open final to Coco Gauff, and the Wimbledon semifinals to Amanda Anisimova. However, she bounced back impressively by winning the US Open, showcasing her resilience and determination.
Iga Swiatek Aims to Bounce Back in Wuhan
Iga Swiatek is set to make her Wuhan Open debut, looking to extend her impressive form after a disappointing round of 16 loss to Emma Navarro in Beijing. Despite the setback, Swiatek has had a strong season, winning a sixth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and adding two more trophies in Cincinnati and Seoul. Her confidence remains high as she prepares to take on either Camila Osorio or Marie Bouzkova in the second round.
📸 wuhan open | IG pic.twitter.com/77wryfu4x4
— iga archive ✦ (@igaswiarchive) October 5, 2025
“It's hard to be winning all the time and be consistent,” Swiatek said, acknowledging the pressure that comes with being a top player. Despite this, she's focused on maintaining her high level of performance and is eager to make a strong impression in Wuhan. With Aryna Sabalenka also competing, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter between the two tennis stars.
“I would rate my season as a pretty successful season,” she said.
“The goal is to stay the same, to improve myself every day, to keep the position of world number one, to see how far I can get in this sport and how much I can win.”
Wuhan Open Updates
Zheng Qinwen Withdraws: Wuhan's home favorite and last year's finalist, Zheng Qinwen, has withdrawn from the tournament due to ongoing recovery from right elbow surgery.
Emma Raducanu's Debut: Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu will make her Wuhan Open debut against American Ann Li. Raducanu, fluent in Mandarin and of Chinese descent through her mother, is looking to bounce back after recent losses.
Recent Setbacks for Raducanu
Raducanu's last two matches ended in heartbreak, with the British player holding match points in both games. In Beijing, she lost to Jessica Pegula 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-0 after squandering three match points in the second-set tiebreaker. Similar drama unfolded in Seoul against Barbora Krejcikova. Despite these setbacks, Raducanu expressed optimism about her progress, highlighting improvements in her serve and overall game.
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