Aryna Sabalenka is set for a challenging run at the Wuhan Open, with a possible path that includes early matches against two former Grand Slam champions.
The World No. 1 has not played since her victory at the US Open, having chosen to skip the China Open in Beijing.
Her return to the Wuhan Open marks her bid to retain the top ranking heading into 2026.
Holding onto her crown will not be easy, though. Sabalenka is chasing a fourth straight title in Wuhan, but this year’s field looks particularly strong.
Aryna Sabalenka is drawn into a group with Naomi Osaka and Elena Rybakina at the Wuhan Open
Sabalenka has won the Wuhan Open three times before, in 2018, 2019, and 2024. But repeating that success this year is going to be a tough ask.
The Belarusian received a first-round bye as the top seed, setting up a potential second-round meeting with Anna Kalinskaya.
If she gets through that, she could face 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the third round. The quarter-final draw does not get any easier.
Any of Naomi Osaka, Leylah Fernandez or Elena Rybakina could be waiting for her there. That section of the draw includes three Grand Slam champions and a finalist.
Should she reach the semi-finals, Jessica Pegula or Amanda Anisimova could be next on her schedule.
Sabalenka has already spoken about the importance of the Wuhan Open
Sabalenka will be looking to go far in Wuhan, even with a tough draw standing in her way.
Last year, she talked about how important the event is as part of her build-up to the WTA Tour Finals.
“I think between Wuhan and the Finals is like a three-week gap.
“It means if you don’t reach the last stages of the tournaments here, then you have a really bigger gap in between, which is not so good before going to the last tournament of the year, where every match is a high-intensity match.”
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She is still chasing her first title at that event, having come closest in 2022 when she finished as runner-up.
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