Sabalenka targets top ranking to cap off superb season
World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka will return to action for the first time since her US Open triumph in the China Open, with the Belarusian keen on reclaiming the top ranking in the final weeks of the season.
The 26-year-old lifted her third grand slam title this month after back-to-back Australian Open triumphs and will be the firm favourite for the Beijing crown in the absence of holder Iga Swiatek, who is missing the event due to personal reasons.
Sabalenka briefly took the No.1 spot last season but was overtaken by Poland’s Swiatek and said she is focused on a strong showing in the Asian swing to give herself the best chance of reaching her goal.
“Of course, that’s one of my goals, to finish the season at world No.1,” Sabalenka told reporters.
“I’m not trying to focus on that. I’m trying to focus on my game. There are three tournaments left. I’m trying to bring my best tennis on court.
“After the season, I’ll see if it was enough to finish the year at world No.1 or I have to improve something else … to be called as best player in the world, that means a lot.”
Sabalenka has already qualified for the season-ending WTA Finals along with Swiatek and is eager to head to the November 2-9 event with plenty of wins under her belt.
“It’s important to do well here before the WTA Finals, to have these matches in your pocket before going to the Finals. I think between Wuhan and the Finals is a gap of three weeks,” Sabalenka said.
“It means if you’re not reaching the last stages of the tournaments here, you have a really big gap in between, which isn’t so good before the last tournament of the year.”
The Beijing tournament runs from September 25-October 6.
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