China Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka's projected path to final ft. potential SF with Jasmine Paolini
Aryna Sabalenka will return to tennis action at the China Open, set to commence with a main draw action in a couple of days. This will be her first Tour appearance since winning the US Open.
The Belarusian will be leading the field at this year’s tournament in the absence of World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek.
With the draw being announced, Sabalenka’s path to a potential final has been laid clear. Take a look at who the top seed might run into during her quest:
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential second-round opponent - Qualifier
The draw has awarded top seed Sabalenka with some breathing room early. Having been awarded a bye in the opening round with the rest of the seeded players, the Belarusian will open her campaign with a second-round contest against a qualifier.
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential third-round opponent - Lulu Sun
Sun made a name for herself at this year’s Wimbledon, making the quarterfinals after having come through the qualification rounds. She has continued her ascent and will be seeded at the China Open.
If she were to come through her opener, Sun could test Sabalenka in the third round. Known to play an aggressive brand of tennis like Sabalenka herself, the Kiwi player’s big serve and freehand could trouble the top seed.
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential fourth-round opponent - Beatriz Haddad Maia or Madison Keys
Sabalenka will face another big test in the third round, where she is likely to run into either the big-hitting Madison Keys or recent Korea Open winner Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Keys and Haddad Maia have easy opening rounds and are likely to slug it out in the third round for a shot at a likely showdown against the top seed.
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential quarterfinal opponent - Barbora Krejcíkova or Liudmila Samsonova
Sabalenka’s path might not get any easier as the likes of Wimbledon champ Barbora Krejcíkova and last year’s China Open finalist Liudmila Samsonova loom in the quarterfinal.
While Krejcikova has not played a lot of tennis since her winning run at the All England Club, she has all the tools needed to trouble Sabalenka. Samsonova’s gung-ho brand of tennis, meanwhile, has also seen her post big results on the quick hardcourts in Asia.
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential semifinal opponent - Jasmine Paolini
Jasmine Paolini, who denied Sabalenka her first French Open final, earlier in the year, is likely to be her semifinal opponent at this year’s China Open.
The Italian, however, has a tough path to the last four of her own. In-form opponents Donna Vekic, Mirra Andreeva and Qinwen Zheng crowd her section. If she were to come through, fans can expect another tight showdown against Sabalenka in the semifinals.
Aryna Sabalenka’s potential final opponent - Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula
The American duo of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who lost to Sabalenka in the US Open a few weeks ago, anchor the bottom half of the draw at the China Open.
Second seed Pegula will be fancying her chances to come through the bottom half given her recent exploits on hardcourts. A potential rematch of the US Open final could well be in the offing at Beijing.