The semi-finals are expected this Saturday at Beijing and surprise: the player in form and world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will not participate. Ousted in the quarter-finals by Karolina Muchovathe Belarusian will have to wait to get closer toIga Swiatek in the WTA rankings. On the other hand, her enforcer will be there since she will face the local and highly anticipated player at the end of the morning (French time). Qinwen Zheng. Earlier, a high-flying duel will oppose the American Coco Gauff Spanish style Paula Badosa.
Video – Karolina Muchova left Sabalenka in the quarterfinals
Karolina Muchova on cloud nine since her return
The Czech, who missed nine months of competition between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024 due to a wrist injury, lost none of her splendor. Still 8th in the world last September, she is now 49th in the world… but has no points to defend until next June! Suffice to say that we should expect to soon find her at the top of the bill, with the points from her semi-final at the US Open and this performance in China.
Faller of Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova is therefore in the semi-final, where she will meet the Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. The Chinese had also beaten the Czech during their last confrontation, in the final at Palermo (July 21). A victory which launched Zheng towards his medal Paris… On hard but in China, both players have the potential to reach the final. It remains to be seen who will have the best match.
Badosa has the opportunity to get closer to the Top 10
The former world number 2, also bothered by physical problems in recent months, would return to the Top 10 at the end of the week with a coronation. But first, Paula Badosa will have a major challenge before her: she will face the young American Coco Gauffpassed close to the exit against Osaka (before its abandonment, Editor’s note). The two players know each other well and Badosa dominates the debates before this sixth confrontation (3-2) in an official match. Once again, it is difficult to give the favorite of the meeting, while the Spaniard still swept Pegula in the round of 16 (6-4, 6-0), and that Coco Gauff hasn’t won a tournament since… January 1st, Auckland.
The program for this Sunday in Beijing
From 9 a.m. French time
[4] Coco Gauff (USA) – [15] Paula Badosa (ESP)
Not before 12 p.m. French time
[5] Qinwen Zheng (CHN) – Karolina Muchova (RTC)
