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BEIJING: World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her title at next week’s Wuhan Open following a brief injury layoff but local hero Zheng Qinwen is out.
Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam crown in New York last month but missed this week’s China Open in Beijing with what she called a small injury.
The 27-year-old from Belarus is expected to return to action for the WTA 1000 event in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where she is the reigning champion and a three-time winner.
The main draw starts on Monday with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff — who plays the semifinals in Beijing on Saturday — also among the top seeds.
In a blow to the tournament and home hopes, local favorite and Olympic champion Zheng pulled out on Friday having recently returned from elbow surgery.
The Chinese world number nine, who considers Wuhan her hometown, retired from her last-32 match at the China Open on Monday.
Zheng, runner-up to Sabalenka last year, said in a video: “Unfortunately my body has not returned to its best condition.
“After discussing with doctors and my team, I regretfully and unfortunately withdrew from this year’s Wuhan Open.
“I’m very grateful for the support from all tennis fans, especially those from my hometown.”

SHANGHAI: Novak Djokovic said he had to “fire up all engines” as he overcame a stodgy first set to reach the third round of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating fellow veteran Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
The 38-year-old Serb is aiming for a record-extending fifth title in Shanghai, where he was greeted by rapturous cheers as he entered a stadium packed with adoring Chinese fans.
The combined age of Djokovic and Cilic — 75 years and 139 days — was the oldest ever between two opponents in an ATP Masters 1000 main draw match.
“I did enjoy it, but I also suffered a lot on the court,” said Djokovic.
“It was a very close match. He was probably the better player for the first set,” he added, saying he needed to “fire up all engines.”
The first set was hard-fought, with 94th-ranked Cilic’s best chance to break the 24-time Grand Slam champion coming but going in the 11th game.
Djokovic seemed to regain his footing in the tiebreak, steaming ahead to prevail 7-2.
In the second set the world number five broke the Croat in the third game and then kept his cool in a tense 10th game to secure victory with a final ace.
Last year Djokovic lost to world number two Jannik Sinner in the final.
On Thursday he said he would “love to have the chance” to play Sinner again if they meet in the semifinals.
Sinner will start his campaign against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier on Saturday.
Shelton out
The United States’ Ben Shelton became the first top-10 seed to be booted out of the competition, beaten by 83rd-ranked David Goffin in straight sets.
The Belgian underdog beat 22-year-old Shelton, ranked sixth in the world, 6-2, 6-4.
Starting strong, the 34-year-old broke the American’s serve in the third and seventh games to take the first set in just over half an hour.
The second was more closely fought, but shortly after play resumed following a rain break, Goffin broke in the ninth game after an unforced error by Shelton.
“It was tough to finish it, but I made it with a good service game, so I’m really happy,” said Goffin.
Shelton has been recovering from a shoulder injury sustained at the US Open.
However, Goffin has form when it comes to eliminating top players.
In March this year he upset world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Miami and last year in Shanghai he knocked out world number three Alexander Zverev.
Teenager Learner Tien — fresh from losing the final of the China Open against Sinner in Beijing on Wednesday — continued his recent good form, beating Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic to advance into the second round.
Top-ranked Alcaraz is not in Shanghai after pulling out to rest having won the Japan Open.