Beijing’s China Open draw has lost its defending champion and one of the leading American contenders before qualifying begins, with Amanda Anisimova and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula withdrawing from the 2026 WTA 1000 event through injury.
Defending champion Anisimova ruled out by wrist problem
Anisimova, ranked No. 11, will not return to defend the title she won in Beijing last season after a left-wrist injury also forced her out of the Singapore Tennis Open. Pegula had already withdrawn from Singapore with an unspecified injury and will miss what had been expected to be her first tournament since the US Open.
“I’m very disappointed not to be in Beijing this year, but I have to concentrate on recovering from an injury,” Anisimova said. “The Beijing fans always provide incredible support and I’m looking forward to coming back next year.”
The two Americans had contrasting runs in New York: Pegula reached the semifinals, while Anisimova’s campaign ended in the third round.
A title defence that will not begin
Anisimova captured her second WTA 1000 crown in Beijing in 2025, becoming the third American woman to lift the China Open trophy. She beat Linda Noskova in the final after Noskova had eliminated Pegula in a close three-set semifinal.
Her route to the championship included victories over several high-profile opponents:
- Katie Boulter
- Zhang Shuai
- Karolina Muchova
- Jasmine Paolini
- Coco Gauff
- Linda Noskova in the final
Three of those wins came against players ranked inside the top 15 at the time.
Further withdrawals reshape the Beijing field
World No. 10 Marta Kostyuk and No. 15 Sorana Cirstea have also been removed from the singles field. Kostyuk played in Guadalajara following the US Open, while Cirstea has not competed since the season’s final major in New York.
The latest absences add to an already lengthy pre-tournament withdrawal list:
- Madison Keys, abdominal injury
- McCartney Kessler, hip injury
- Zhang Shuai, schedule change
- Karolina Pliskova, back injury
- Emma Raducanu, leg injury
- Hanne Vandewinkel, illness
Draw dates and WTA 1000 stakes
Qualifying in Beijing is scheduled for September 28-29, with the 96-player main draw starting on Wednesday, September 30. The China Open is the penultimate WTA 1000 tournament of the 2026 season, leaving substantial ranking points available as the tour moves deeper into its Asian hard-court swing.
