WTA Beijing 2024: Analysis of the draw. Sabalenka on the hunt for number one

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Hostilities are unfolding once again in a frenetic WTA calendar that reaches one of its most important appointments. The women's circuit arrives in the Chinese capital for the WTA Beijing 2024, the penultimate WTA 1000 category event, where there are several points of interest that could have vital consequences. Aryna Sabalenka leads as the top seed and will have a fantastic opportunity to surpass Iga Swiatek, who will not be competing due to personal matters, in the WTA Race, which will determine who takes the number one spot at the end of the season.

Analysis of the WTA Beijing 2024 draw

First quadrant

Potential opponents for Aryna Sabalenka: Qualifying round - Lulu Sun - Haddad Maia/Keys - Krejcikova/Samsonova - Paolini/Zheng - Pegula/Gauff

At first glance, the path for the Belarusian seems relatively benevolent. She needs to reach the later rounds to strengthen her candidacy and confirm the overtaking of Iga, and it seems that an in-form Aryna should not have difficulties achieving that. The first two rounds (this draw consists of 96 players, one of the widest in the WTA circuit) should not pose a problem, while a streaking Haddad Maia or Keys emerge as main challenges. It is hard to trust in Krejcikova’s consistency for the quarterfinals, leaving the door open for a surprise (keep an eye on Karolina Muchova, underrated in this quadrant), and a potential showdown between Paolini and Zheng to define the possible semifinalist appears as a very appealing challenge.

Second quadrant

Potential opponents for Jasmine Paolini: Dart/Tauson - Linette - Andreeva/Vekic - Zheng/Kasatkina - Sabalenka/Krejcikova - Pegula/Gauff

A path full of thorns and potential surprises for Jasmine Paolini, who rarely has been in such a leading role in a tournament of this caliber. The absences of Rybakina and Swiatek profile the Italian as the third seed, a true privilege that, however, has not led to a substantial decrease in the draw's difficulty: both Mirra Andreeva and Donna Vekic (in a possible Wimbledon semifinal rematch, one of the best matches of the year) loom as tough opponents in the round of 16, while a highly motivated Qinwen Zheng, eager to shine in front of her home crowd, could provide a tremendous quarterfinal clash. Nonetheless, high hopes for the Italian, who aims to continue her excellent form in 2024.

Third quadrant

Potential opponents for Coco Gauff: Burel/Dolehide - Boulter - Kostyuk/Osaka/Putintseva - Ostapenko/Kalinskaya - Pegula/Navarro - Sabalenka/Paolini

After her recent split from Brad Gilbert, Beijing will be the first stop for a renewed Coco Gauff. The surface seems fantastic for the American's interests, being of medium speed; however, her side of the draw also appears quite open, with chances distributed among several names. The spotlight will also be on Naomi Osaka, who will debut against Bronzetti and has a favorable draw to surprise; furthermore, a great opportunity for our Jéssica Bouzas, debuting against Payton Stearns and potentially facing Leylah Fernandez in the second round. A land of opportunities to reach the semifinals.

Fourth quadrant

Potential opponents for Jessica Pegula: Parry - Kudermetova/Anisimova - Badosa/Alexandrova - Navarro/Shnaider - Gauff/Ostapenko - Sabalenka/Paolini

Jessica Pegula lands in Asia with the hope of adding another significant title to her collection. After breaking the quarterfinal curse in Grand Slams, the American fell just short of opening her Majors trophy cabinet, and a potential rematch with Sabalenka in the final could serve as a stimulus for her energy and motivation in this tournament. Her draw will not be easy either: names who are returning to top form appear on her horizon, such as Amanda Anisimova (whom she already defeated in the Canada final), Paula Badosa, or Emma Navarro. The Spaniard, by the way, returns to a prominent position in major tournaments (being the #15 seed) and dreams of achieving great results, although reaching the round of 16 against the American would be a good outcome considering her ranking.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, WTA Pekín 2024: Análisis del cuadro. Sabalenka, a la caza del número uno