5 favorites to win Wuhan Open 2024 ft. Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula
After an exhilarating week of tennis in Beijing, the top players on tour will now compete in the 2024 Wuhan Open. The tournament is a part of the WTA 1000 series and returns for the first time since the 2019 edition.
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek will be a noticeable absentee this year and has not featured in any of the events during the Asian hardcourt swing. This means World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will be the top seed in Wuhan, followed by Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka clinched her maiden title in the US Open last month and also reached the quarterfinals of the China Open. Despite a spirited effort against Karolina Muchova, the Czech outfoxed her in a thrilling encounter in Beijing, 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiyu, Katie Volynets and Alexandra Eala have received wildcard entries in the main draw. Reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova will also feature in the Wuhan Open this year. The Czech will enter on the back of a second-round exit in Beijing, at the hands of Jaqueline Cristian.
With Iga Swiatek out of the picture, the women's locker would fancy their chances of making a deep run in the Wuhan Open. Let's take a look at five players who have the best chance to capture the title this year.
5). Zheng Qinwen
Olympic Gold medalist Zheng Qinwen has caught the critics' attention with an amazing season so far. After a runner-up finish in the Australian Open, she reached the quarterfinals in Dubai and Rome.
The Chinese then defended her title in Palermo and clinched a precious gold medal for her country in the Summer Olympics. She's chalked up nine wins from 12 matches since then, including a quarterfinal appearance in the US Open and a semifinal run in the China Open.
Qinwen's resilient all-around game and calm demeanor on the court have worked to her advantage this year. She is easily one of the favorites to make a deep run in the Wuhan Open.
4). Jessica Pegula
World No. 3 Jessica Pegula is among the strong contenders to lift the title in the Wuhan Open. She came agonizingly close to winning her first Major title last month in the US Open, but couldn't make her mark against second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
After a slow start to the season, the American picked up the pace in Charleston by reaching the semifinals. She then captured her first title of the season in Berlin and followed up with another successful run in Toronto.
Pegula struggled to cope with the hot conditions in Beijing last week and was eliminated by Paula Badosa in the fourth round. She will be eager to hit back in the Wuhan Open and get back to winning ways on tour.
3). Karolina Muchova
Karolina Muchova missed the first half of the season due to a wrist injury. She returned to the women's tour in June and chalked up a quarterfinal appearance in Eastbourne International.
The 28-year-old wasted no time finding her rhythm and came close to lifting the title in Palermo. She presented a stern challenge to Zheng Qinwen in the finals but eventually came up shy in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
Muchova will enter Wuhan on the back of a semifinal run in the US Open and a guaranteed runner-up finish in the China Open. The Czech has reached the finals in Beijing and will fight for the title against Coco Gauff on Sunday.
Considering her recent results and skill set on hard courts, the World No. 8 is a clear favorite to make a deep run in the Wuhan Open. She's garnered 11 wins from her last 12 matches and is expected to improve further on tour.
2). Coco Gauff
World No. 4 Coco Gauff is one of the busiest players on tour this year with 46 wins from 61 matches so far. She has one title to her name in Auckland but has also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, French Open, BNP Paribas Open and the Italian Open, this year.
The American has a chance to double her trophy count in the China Open on Sunday as she takes on Karolina Muchova in the finals. A win would boost her confidence for the remainder of the season and assure her chances of making the final eight in the WTA Finals.
Gauff has played some sublime tennis in the past couple of weeks and looks poised to make a significant impact on tour. She will be expected to stake her claim for the title in the Wuhan Open.
1). Aryna Sabalenka
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will be the top favorite to win in the Wuhan Open this year. She took time to regain her momentum after winning the Australian Open but chalked up runner-up finishes in Madrid and Rome. She opted to miss the Wimbledon Championships and the Summer Olympics in Paris and then silenced her critics with a title-winning run in the Cincinnati Open.
The Belarusian continued her purple patch in New York and clinched her third Major title in the US Open this year. She only dropped one set throughout the event in New York and defeated Jessica Pegula in the finals, 7-5, 7-5.
The 26-year-old will enter Wuhan on the back of a solid performance in Beijing. She is a two-time champion at the event with successful runs in 2018 and 2019. If Sabalenka begins well and keeps her focus throughout the event, she could be a force to be reckoned with in the 2024 Wuhan Open.