WTA China Open Sept 24th to Oct 5th

Coco Gauff returns as the defending champion to Beijing. She is seeded #2 behind last week's winner Iga Swiatek who is the top seed. Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova make up the top 4 seeds at the biggest event since the US Open. Naomi Osaka returns to action at #12 seed as does Paula Badosa who is back at #18 seed. Based on the form of players over the past 6 weeks the bottom half looks to be the half to concentrate on with both Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova the most likely to come through to contest the semi final :) The top half sees Andreeva, Mboko and Qinwen Zheng all return to action having been below their best when last seen in action. Iga Swiatek will have to beat Osaka and potentially Pegula to even reach the semi final. The court surface is playing reasonably fast so no strong advantage and whoever serves well and plays with freedom from the back of the court will do well. This season very very few winners have backed it up by winning again at consecutive events. DTM would advise an interest in players who did well last season. Mirra Andreeva is due a return to form and without the same pressures of a major may well come through the top half to at least make the semi finals. Iga Swiatek will do well to back up last week and could come unstuck before the semi finals so a player to take on especially against Osaka or Pegula :) Elena Rybakina is the safest option from the bottom half:)

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