Entertainment

Aryna Sabalenka makes shock withdrawal as world No 1 battle set to heat up

Published

2 months ago

September 17, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka’s hopes of a dominant Asian swing have been dented after the four-time Grand Slam champion was confirmed to be withdrawing from the upcoming China Open.

World No 1 Sabalenka, who won her second US Open title less than two weeks ago, will miss the WTA 1000 event in Beijing due to what the tournament has described as a “minor injury”, with the Belarusian releasing a statement via the tournament.

She said: “Due to an injury sustained at the US Open and the ongoing recovery process, I regretfully announce that I will withdraw from this year’s China Open. I will focus on my recovery and strive to return to 100% condition as soon as possible.

“I can’t wait to see my fans in China! I look forward to returning to Beijing next year and wish you all the best for the tournament.”

Sabalenka’s withdrawal means she will likely not be in action until the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 event of 2025, where she will be looking to win the title for a fourth straight edition of the event.

After a busy year which has seen her go deep at the vast majority of events she has contested, it may be wise for the 27-year-old to pull out of Beijing if there are any potential niggles that could be worsened by her participation.

However, her decision has also opened the door in the WTA Rankings for leading rival Iga Swiatek, whose hopes of a return to world No 1 by the end of the year have been boosted by Sabalenka’s decision.

How could it affect world No 1 race?

Sabalenka currently has a 3,292-point lead over Swiatek in the WTA Rankings (11,225 points to 7,933), though she is only 2,077 points ahead in the WTA Race to Riyadh, which monitors points won in 2025.

While that is still a comfortable cushion for the Belarusian for now, Swiatek has the chance to significantly close the gap before the world No 1 returns to court.

Swiatek is in action at the WTA 500 event in Seoul this week and is still currently set to compete in Beijing next week.

Should the Pole triumph at both events, she would earn a combined 1,500 points — moving her within just 600 points of Sabalenka in the points standings for the season.

And, even if Swiatek does not triumph at one or both events, she can still close the gap on Sabalenka in the world rankings.

The Pole only has 400 points from the WTA Finals to defend for the rest of the season, having been provisionally suspended from the Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open last year.

In contrast, Sabalenka has 400 points at the WTA Finals to defend herself, but has 1,000 points in Wuhan, and 215 quarter-finalist points in Beijing.

Should Swiatek triumph in Beijing this year — she won the event in 2023, so it is a distinct possibility — that would mean a 1,215-point swing between the two at one event.

She also has no points to defend in Wuhan, so, assuming she plays, she can close the gap on Sabalenka regardless of how the Belarusian fares in her title defence.

Both women are now also likely to be affected by rules concerning mandatory WTA events and points, though it will be the world No 1 who is affected more by this as things stand.

Sabalenka’s China Open withdrawal does not guarantee that she will lose the world No 1 ranking, and she still has a cushion for now.

However, it does open the door for Swiatek, whose chances of a third year-end No 1 finish have now increased.

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Entertainment

Victoria Mboko beats Cristina Bucsa in Hong Kong to claim her second WTA title

Published

3 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Earnings

Canadian 19-year-old rising starVictoria Mboko overcame world number 68 Cristina Bucsa from Spain 7-5 6-7 (9-11) 6-2 in the Hong Kong final to claim the second WTA title of her career.

Mboko converted her second break point in the sixth game to open up a 5-2 lead in the first set. Bucsa broke straight back at 15 in the ninth game to draw level to 5-5 after Mboko wasted three set points across the eighth and tenth games.

Mboko served out the 11^th game with hold at 15 before breaking serve in the 12^th game to close out the first set 7-5.

Mboko broke in the second game of the second set and held serve at love to open up a 3-0 lead. Bucsa broke back in the fifth game and held serve in the next game to draw level to 3-3. Bucsa earned her second break in the 11th game, but she failed to serve out for the second set in the 12^th game, as Mboko broke straight back to draw level to 6-6. Mboko missed a championships point at 8-7 before Bucsa converted her fourth set point to force the match to the decider.

Mboko earned two breaks in the first and seventh games to close out a one-sided third set 6-2 on the third match point in the eighth game.

Last August Mboko won her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open in Montreal. The Canadian player is set to break inside the top 20 for the first time in her career and reach a career-high by winning the WTA 250 title in Hong Kong.

Entertainment

Jannik Sinner ends Carlos Alcaraz’s reign, reclaims world no. 1 honor

Published

4 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Earnings

On Monday, Jannik Sinner will start his second stint on the ATP throne! The Italian claimed his fifth Masters 1000 crown in Paris, earning 1000 ATP points and dethroning his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz.

Jannik leads Carlos 250 ATP points on the latest ATP ranking list, although he has to defend 1500 points at the ATP Finals in Turin. The 24-year-old has won 2050 points since Beijing, including three titles.

His latest success came in the French capital following a flawless performance, having beaten five rivals in straight sets en route to the trophy, his 23rd in a career. Sinner did not think about the year-end no. 1 battle with Alcaraz.

However, his latest run keeps him in contention for the ultimate honor, his second in a row after a dominant display in 2024. Jannik will embrace his 66th world no. 1 week on Monday, moving closer to Stefan Edberg’s 72.

The San Candido native has won five ATP titles in 2025, including three notable ones. Sinner went back to the drawing board following the US Open title clash defeat to Alcaraz.

He brought his improvements to the Asian swing and extended his brilliant run on indoor courts to raise above all the rivals and conquer the ATP throne for the second time.

While not playing at his best physically, the Italian still endured all the efforts in Paris and became the fourth player to conquer a notable indoor event without losing a set.

Jannik dismantled injured Alexander Zverev in the semi-final and arranged the title clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian chased his first Masters 1000 crown and fought well in a 6-4, 7-6 defeat.

The Italian provided another indoor masterclass, serving well and maintaining the pressure on the other side. Sinner faced no break points and seized one of six opportunities on the return, missing a chance to move over the top earlier.

Jannik tamed his strokes nicely and forged the upper hand in the more advanced rallies. The Italian will take a well-deserved rest before heading to Turin, hoping to finish the season on a high note and claim another trophy.

Entertainment

Djokovic learns fate in new home as Sabalenka addresses behaviour

Published

1 day ago

November 1, 2025

Earnings

Express Sport brings you the latest tennis news from the Paris Masters.

We’re reaching the business end of the Paris Masters, as eight players become four in the French capital. Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy after Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out by Cameron Norrie in the Spaniard’s opening match. Norrie was then beaten by Valentin Vacherot, whose amazing 10-match winning streak at Masters 1000 level came to an end when he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Canadian star Auger-Aliassime will face Alexander Bublik in the semis. Bublik defeated Alex de Minaur, who is among those to have already qualified for the year-end ATP Finals. Sinner is through to his first Paris Masters semi-final after beating Ben Shelton. He’ll face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who survived a tough match against Daniil Medvedev.

Novak Djokovic is not involved in the Paris Masters, having decided to skip the event for the second year in a row, but he has learned his fate in the draw of next week’s ATP 250 in Athens. And over in Riyadh, the WTA Finals are about to get underway.