World No. 6 Linda Noskova has withdrawn from the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open with a left calf injury, triggering a late reshuffle in the singles draw before Monday’s main-draw start.
Noskova pulled out before the first order of play was issued, allowing No. 9 seed Belinda Bencic to move into her position on Line 48 and receive a first-round bye. Bencic will now begin her Wuhan campaign in the second round.
The match
Anna Kalinskaya has inherited Bencic’s former seeded position on Line 9 and will meet Zhang Shuai in the opening round. Kalinskaya’s previous place in the bracket is due to be filled by a lucky loser before play begins.
Noskova last played at the China Open in Beijing, where Ekaterina Alexandrova stopped her in the fourth round. The Czech arrives at the enforced break with a 35-16 record for the season and two titles, claimed at Wimbledon and in Berlin.
The withdrawal comes shortly after Noskova and Mirra Andreeva secured qualification for the WTA Finals, scheduled for Indian Wells from November 8 to 15. Noskova is not currently entered in another tournament before the season-ending event.
Wuhan has also lost World No. 1 Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova from its expected field.
Oleksandra Oliynykova has also withdrawn, citing a right ankle injury. Qualifier Aoi Ito takes her place in the draw.
The Wuhan Open runs from October 12 through October 18, with the singles finals set for Sunday.
