Wuhan Open 2024: Women's singles draw analysis, preview & prediction ft. potential Coco Gauff-Aryna Sabalenka SF, Jessica Pegula-Paula Badosa 3R

The women's singles draw for the 2024 Wuhan Open (October 8-13) was unveiled on Saturday, October 5, setting the stage for nearly a week of high-octane tennis action. Fans can look forward to intense matchups as top players battle it out for the prestigious title.

This year’s Australian Open and US Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka, is the top seed at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan following the withdrawal of World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. The Pole pulled out after her split with longtime coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.

Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Coco Gauff, Zheng Qinwen, Emma Navarro, Barbora Krejcikova, Daria Kasatkina, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Anna Kalinskaya round up the top 10 seeds.

Exciting first-round matches are on the horizon, featuring Haddad Maia against Madison Keys, Leylah Fernandez taking on Diana Shnaider, Kalinskaya squaring off with Peyton Stearns, Katie Volynets battling Anastasia Potapova, and Sofia Kenin facing Ekaterina Alexandrova, among others.

With that in mind, let's dive into how the women's singles draw of the 2024 Wuhan Open might unfold over the next few days.

---

Top Half: Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro make for interesting draw

Emma Navarro pictured at the 2024 US Open | Image Source: Getty

Seeded Players: (1) Aryna Sabalenka, (4) Coco Gauff, (6) Emma Navarro, (8) Daria Kasatkina, (9) Beatriz Haddad Maia, (11) Liudmila Samsonova, (13) Marta Kostyuk, (15) Donna Vekic

Expected Semifinal: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka

Dark Horse: Amanda Anisimova

Analysis: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka is in this half of the draw and will begin her campaign in the second round against either Katerina Siniakova or wildcard Alex Eala, having received a first-round bye.

Sabalenka is having one of the best seasons of her career, despite facing some ups and downs, including a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon. Nevertheless, she has claimed three titles this year, which include two Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and US Open.

If Sabalenka advances past the second round, she could face either Donna Vekic or Yulia Putintseva in the next round, followed by a potential matchup against Emma Navarro or Beatriz Haddad Maia. While both Navarro and Haddad Maia are currently in good form, the Belarusian should be able to overcome them with the right strategy and mindset.

On the other side of this half of the draw is Coco Gauff, who has regained her momentum following a recent slump. After parting ways with her coach Brad Gilbert, she brought on Matt Daly, and this change has paid off significantly; she demonstrated improvement by reaching the final of the China Open.

Gauff will begin her campaign at the Wuhan Open in the second round against either compatriot Ashlyn Krueger or Viktoriya Tomova. If she advances, she could face either Amanda Anisimova or Marta Kostyuk in the next round.

In the quarterfinals, the 20-year-old may face off against either Daria Kasatkina or Liudmila Samsonova. Should she navigate that challenge successfully, she could set up a semifinal clash with Aryna Sabalenka.

A semifinal showdown between Sabalenka and Gauff is sure to steal the spotlight, especially given their intriguing rivalry that has developed over the years.

In the past, Sabalenka would have been the clear favorite, but Gauff's resurgence means she won't make it easy for her opponent. However, the World No. 2 is still likely to edge out the young American and secure a spot in the final of the 2024 Wuhan Open.

Semifinal Prediction: Sabalenka def. Gauff

---

Bottom Half: Jessica Pegula vs Paula Badosa, Zheng Qinwen vs Karolina Muchova heighten the thrill

Paula Badosa pictured at the 2024 China Open | Image Source: Getty

Seeded Players: (2) Jessica Pegula, (3) Jasmine Paolini, (5) Zheng Qinwen, (7) Barbora Krejcikova, (10) Anna Kalinskaya, (12) Diana Shnaider, (14) Paula Badosa, (16) Mirra Andreeva

Expected Semifinal: Paula Badosa vs Karolina Muchova

Dark Horse: Karolina Muchova

This half of the draw is packed with star power, featuring 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula. She will begin her campaign at the Wuhan Open in the second round, facing either wildcard Katie Volynets or Anastasia Potapova.

Pegula, who is having one of her best seasons on the Tour, could potentially face Paula Badosa in the next round. The Spaniard has been in excellent form this year, recently reaching the semifinals of the China Open before falling to Coco Gauff.

While Pegula has the upper hand on paper, boasting a superior ranking and a 3-0 head-to-head record against Badosa, it’s quite possible that the Spaniard could find her way to the quarterfinals. If that happens, she would likely face either Anna Kalinskaya or Barbora Krejcikova, both of whom she could defeat to secure a spot in the semifinals.

On the other side of this half of the draw, fifth seed Zheng Qinwen will kick off her campaign in the second round against Jacqueline Cristian or a qualifier, thanks to a first-round bye. She may face Karolina Muchova next, who is expected to come into their matchup with momentum from a victory over either Leylah Fernandez or Diana Shnaider.

Muchova is in impressive form, having reached the semifinals of the US Open last month and now the final of the China Open. She is expected to overcome Zheng and advance to the quarterfinals, where she could face either Jasmine Paolini or Mirra Andreeva.

The Czech has a strong chance of defeating either Paolini or Andreeva to secure her spot in the semifinals against Badosa. Although she trails the Spaniard 1-2 in their head-to-head record, her current form makes her the favorite to reach the final.

Semifinal Prediction: Muchova def. Badosa

---

Wuhan Open 2024: Final prediction

Karolina Muchova def. Aryna Sabalenka