Wuhan draw: Sabalenka returns for title defense, Osaka opens against Fernandez | Zheng Qinwen out…

Explore the latest developments concerning Wuhan draw: Sabalenka.

Wuhan draw: Sabalenka returns for title defense, Osaka opens against Fernandez

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka returns to defend her title at the WTA 1000 Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open, facing tough competition. Exciting matchups and potential revenge stories highlight the draw, promising thrilling tennis action.

The draw for the final WTA 1000 tournament of 2025 — the Dongfeng · Voyah Wuhan Open — was released on Saturday, and features the return of World No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for her first tournament since winning her fourth Grand Slam singles title at the US Open.

Despite the withdrawal of defending finalist Zheng Qinwen, eight of the Top 10 in the PIF WTA Rankings are in the field, and Sabalenka was handed a potentially tricky road to her title defense.

Zheng Qinwen out of Wuhan and Ningbo after elbow injury setback

China’s top player said she’s “not playing at 100 percent,” after retiring from her second match since elbow surgery last week in Beijing.

China’s top player, Zheng Qinwen, has been forced to withdraw from two upcoming home tournaments—the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open and the Ningbo Open—after suffering another setback with her elbow injury in Beijing.

It’s a tough blow for Zheng, who was making her first tournament appearance since July at the China Open following elbow surgery earlier this season. In the third round, she was locked in a tight three-set battle against Linda Noskova when she appeared to reinjure her surgically repaired elbow. Down 0-3 in the decider, Zheng called for a medical timeout, had a brief conversation with the physio, and soon retired from the match.

Aryna Sabalenka can achieve a record in Wuhan which only three WTA players in history have ever done before

Aryna Sabalenka could make WTA history at the Wuhan Open this year which would put her name among some of the greats.

Sabalenka withdrew from the China Open, and has not played a single match since winning her fourth major title at the US Open.

However, the world number one is now gearing up to make her return at the Wuhan Open, where Sabalenka is the defending champion.

Not only is Sabalenka looking to defend her title, but she will be looking to achieve a historic feat that only three WTA players have achieved in history.

Sabalenka won the 2024 edition of the Wuhan Open, which was actually her third consecutive title at the event after also winning it in 2018 and 2019, before the tournament had a five-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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