Iga Świątek’s withdrawal has huge consequences. Aryna Sabalenka’s loss is plummeting
The semi-final in Washington, the quarter-final in Toronto, and then Sabalenka’s two wins against Jessica Pegula in the finals in Cincinnati and the US Open. During that time, Świątek’s weaker results meant that since the beginning of August, the point difference between the Pole and the Belarusian has decreased from 2832 points (August 1) to 2169 points (September 20). And after Świątek’s decision to withdraw from Beijing, where she won the title and 1000 points last year, this gap will certainly decrease even more. A lot.
The Belarusian was eliminated in the previous edition of the tournament in China in the quarterfinals, for which she received 215 points. The calculation is therefore simple in this situation. From 2169 points, which currently divide the two tennis players, with the start of the tournament in Beijing, the Polish player’s advantage will melt to 1384 points.
If Sabalenka won the entire competition, her name would have a total of 9,286 points. Świątek, on the other hand, will have 9,885 points.
Regardless of the course of events in Beijing, both players will first play in the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, which is returning to the calendar, at the end of the season, and then they will defend their points from the WTA Finals. Last year in Cancun, Sabalenka lost to Świątek in the semifinals. The Belarusian scored 625 points, while the Pole scored 1,500 points.
In the current situation, it is already clear that in a very unfavorable combination of events, Świątek may lose the first place in the WTA ranking in Wuhan or during the WTA Finals in Riyadh. On the other hand, a spectacular failure of the Belarusian in Beijing may mean that only in Riyadh will tennis players compete for the “number one”.
Assuming that the Pole will collect a thousand points in Wuhan, and Sabalenka will first lose badly in Beijing and then quickly drop out of the next tournament, there is a chance that regardless of the events in Riyadh, the Pole will secure first place at the end of the season.
Aryna Sabalenka is making up for huge losses. But it doesn’t have to be the end
This is the most important thing in the WTA ranking today:
- Iga Świątek’s advantage over Aryna Sabalenka is now virtually “only” 1384. On July 14, the Polish woman’s advantage over the then second-placed Coco Gauff was 3112 points, and over the third-placed Sabalenka – 4224 points.
- The Belarusian can quickly reduce this deficit. Even by another 785 points if she triumphs in Beijing.
- The next tournament is in Wuhan. This will potentially be Sabalenka’s first chance to knock Świątek off the top spot. These are returning tournaments, so each player is fighting for a new pool of points. If they play
- There is still the season-ending WTA Finals tournament to play, where Świątek is defending 1,500 points and Sabalenka is on 625 points. If it doesn’t happen first, this could be another and last chance for the ranking duo to change the balance of power.
Top female tennis players withdraw from Beijing tournament
The tournament in Beijing will start on September 25. Apart from Świątek, Ons Jabeur (ended her season due to injury, 22nd place in the WTA ranking), Victoria Azarenka (19th place in the WTA ranking), Linda Noskova (27th racket in the world), Elina Svitolina (ended her season due to injury, 28th place in the WTA ranking), Caroline Garcia (29th tennis player), Karolina Pliskova, Marie Bouzkova and Caroline Wozniacki have withdrawn from the tournament.
