Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva withdrew from the Wuhan Open on Monday, a day after meeting in the China Open final in Beijing. Zheng, who won her first WTA 1000 title, cited a right shoulder injury and fatigue. Andreeva cited a schedule change, and lucky losers replaced both.
The Beijing final ended on Sunday with Zheng holding the trophy. By Monday, the WTA had confirmed that neither finalist would play in Wuhan, a WTA 1000 event whose main draw opened that day.
Zheng’s body says stop
Zheng pulled out with a right shoulder injury, according to the WTA, and her own statement pointed to the toll of the past few weeks. She said she had been through a demanding stretch since returning from injury that took in the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup and the China Open. “My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches,” she said.
The withdrawal is a blow to a tournament in her hometown. Zheng said Wuhan was where her tennis dream began, and she said she hopes to return next year “in my best possible form”.
It follows the week that put her back on the map. Zheng arrived in Beijing as a wild card ranked 54th, having fallen from a career-high No. 4 last year after an elbow injury. She beat Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final after becoming the first Chinese player to reach the final in Beijing. The WTA expects the title to lift her back into the top 30.
Andreeva changes her schedule
Andreeva, now ranked world No. 3, also withdrew after losing that final. Her stated reason was a change in schedule, and no further detail was given.
Lucky losers step in
Both spots went to lucky losers from qualifying. Camila Osorio took Zheng’s place in the draw and was set to open against Ann Li.
For Wuhan, the loss of the Beijing finalists removes two of the headline names from the draw. For Zheng, the title and the ranking rise are secure, and the shoulder and fatigue now come first.
