Only 70 points currently separate Aryna Sabalenka from world number one Iga Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings.
The Belarusian stormed to her third consecutive Wuhan Open title on Sunday, rallying past home favorite Qinwen Zheng for the third time this year.
Aryna Sabalenka won the event in 2018 and 2019 before it was removed from the WTA calendar. However, returning to the circuit this year, she is now 17 matches unbeaten in Wuhan.
Sabalenka’s Cincinnati and US Open triumphs have edged her to within touching distance of top spot. Iga Swiatek’s comfortable lead however has not solely been eaten into by Sabalenka.
The Pole haemorrhaged points after withdrawing from Beijing – where she was the reigning champion – and Wuhan after splitting with coach of three years Tomasz Wiktorowski.
With the face for top spot well and truly on, Andy Roddick has suggested one of the two dominant WTA stars has the edge.
Andy Roddick predicts tight race for WTA year-end number one
Swiatek’s last outing at the US Open was a slightly out-of-sorts defeat to Jessica Pegula.
The Pole faced off against Sabalenka in Cincinnati, bruising her way to a straight sets revenge after Swiatek beat the Belarusian on her beloved clay in both the Madrid and Rome finals.
Having faced each other at the year-end finals in Cancun last year – an event Swiatek went on to win – Sabalenka suggested another meeting at the WTA finals would be fitting for the number one spot.
Roddick, on his podcast ‘Served’, suggested the Belarusian’s form, partnered by Swiatek’s off-court upheaval, means Sabalenka might be able to pip the Pole at the line.
“I think leader in the clubhouse for year end number one – You take Sabalenka at this point,” Roddick said.
“Nothing would surprise me with Iga. But we don’t know how much she is going to play towards the end of the year. I think Sabalenka is certainly making the case for number one and I think it would be deserved.”
With the powerful Belarusian bookending the year with Grand Slam titles – the only female player to win multiple majors this year – she is the obvious choice to back.
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What can we expect from Iga Swiatek after splitting with her coach
Swiatek cited ‘personal reasons’ for her Beijing withdrawal, with the Pole also likely in need of a break.
The world number one complained of an intense WTA schedule earlier this year, sparking supportive comments several other players including Carlos Alcaraz, who claimed the ATP were trying to ‘kill’ players.
Swiatek, still just 23, has struggled on the hard-courts in the latter half of the year, especially after Olympic disappointment. However it’s worth remembering the Pole picked up the title in Qatar and Indian Wells this year, both of which are on the hard-courts.
With a drop in form but nonetheless a point to prove, Swiatek remains tipped to go far at the WTA finals.
Sabalenka and Zheng are the two most in-form players going to Riyadh, with the field having somewhat dropped off recently.
However, as defending champion, count out Swiatek at your own peril.
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