Breaking News: Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini presented with significant WTA rankings opportunity at……………………..read more.
The Asian tennis swing is already underway, but the excitement will peak next week as the China Open kicks off in Beijing.
Some of the biggest WTA stars will be competing, though there have been notable withdrawals, including defending champion Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
These withdrawals open doors for several players, with Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini standing to gain the most.
We examine the potential rankings boost both women could achieve with a deep run in Beijing.
Sabalenka aims to narrow No. 1 gap
While Sabalenka can’t overtake Swiatek as world No. 1 in Beijing, the US Open champion – who held the top spot a year ago – can significantly close the gap.
Swiatek earned 1,000 ranking points from her 2023 win, but her withdrawal means her total will drop from 10,885 to 9,885 points after the tournament.
This still leaves her ahead of Sabalenka, who currently has 8,716 points.
However, the three-time Grand Slam champion was eliminated in the 2023 Beijing quarter-finals by Rybakina, leaving her with just 215 points to defend – 785 fewer than Swiatek.
