World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the China Open.
The WTA 1000 event is scheduled to start on Sept. 24. Wednesday, on social media, tournament officials announced Sabalenka had withdrawn with what was termed a “minor injury.”
Sabalenka, from Belarus, has not played since winning the U.S. Open earlier this month.
The time off will give 24-year-old Iga Swiatek of Poland, ranked No. 2, a chance to close the gap with Sabalenka, based on points she could earn at this week’s Korea Open and in China while Sabalenka is idle.
Sabalenka, 27, is not scheduled to play again until the Wuhan Open, which is set to begin Oct. 6.
Both are expected at the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November.
–Field Level Media
