Coco Gauff will not defend her Wuhan Open crown next week, withdrawing from the final WTA 1000 tournament of the season to rest after a demanding campaign. Naomi Osaka has also pulled out, while local star Zheng Qinwen has been moved into the draw as Osaka’s replacement.
Champion Gauff steps away
Gauff lifted the Wuhan title last year without losing a set, but her attempt to retain the trophy will not go ahead. The World No. 4 said recovery had become the priority after a long season.
“It is frustrating to have to withdraw from Wuhan, particularly as the reigning champion,” Gauff said. “I love competing there, but after a long year my body needs rest and recovery time. I hope to be back next season.”
- Gauff arrived in Beijing and recorded successive wins against Camila Osorio and junior world No. 1 Sun Xinran.
- Her China Open run ended in the fourth round on Wednesday, when Elise Mertens earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory.
- Gauff finished that match with 34 unforced errors, including eight double faults.
- The 12-time WTA Tour title winner then confirmed that she needed a break before the Wuhan event.
After the defeat to Mertens, Gauff said her level had not been good enough. “I simply did not play well,” she said. “I was not moving well, and there were many things that I did poorly.” She also described herself as “a little flat” and said she was looking forward to much-needed rest.
Gauff currently stands fifth in the PIF WTA Race to the Finals, making the Wuhan ranking-point opportunity one she will now have to surrender as the defending champion.
Osaka out, Zheng enters the field
Osaka will miss Wuhan as well after her Beijing campaign finished in a tight Round of 16 contest against Karolina Muchova.
- Osaka dropped the opening set against Muchova despite holding a break advantage.
- She responded emphatically to take the second set 6-1.
- Osaka again led by a break in the deciding set, but Muchova recovered to claim a 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7) win after 2 hours and 52 minutes.
- Muchova converted her ninth match point to complete the comeback.
Zheng, who remains in contention in Beijing, will take Osaka’s place in the Wuhan draw. The Chinese player will have the chance to compete before home support at the season’s last WTA 1000 stop.
Wuhan draw takes shape
Gauff and Osaka join World No. 1 Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova among the absentees in Wuhan. Aryna Sabalenka is currently projected to lead the singles field as top seed.
The Wuhan Open begins with first-round matches on Monday, October 12. The tournament concludes on Sunday, October 18, with the singles and doubles finals scheduled for the same day.
