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US Open champion opens up on ‘ego blow’ after qualifying struggle at the Wuhan Open

Originally posted on HITC | By Cameron Greenlees | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 10:23 AM ET

The last WTA 1000 event of the season started this Monday, following Amanda Anisimova’s triumph at the China Open.

Aryna Sabalenka, who has not played since her US Open victory, will make her return at the tournament. The three-time defending champion will be aiming for another deep run.

Iga Swiatek comes in as the second seed. She will be hoping to rebound from an early exit in Beijing, where she lost to Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

While there are plenty of ranking points on offer at the Wuhan Open, one former Grand Slam champion has already seen her campaign come to an early end.

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu fails to make Wuhan Open main draw

Photo by WUHAN OPEN OFFICIAL 2025/VCG via Getty Images

Bianca Andreescu will not feature in the main draw of the Wuhan Open after falling short during qualifying.

The 2019 US Open champion, who famously beat Serena Williams in New York, has slipped to world No. 181 following a string of injury setbacks over the past few years.

Andreescu spoke about her current situation with Tennis365, admitting: “It is certainly a blow to the ego, but I have to put that to one side.”

“It was many years ago that I won the US Open, and so much has happened since then. I still have big ambitions. I know what I can accomplish.

“So finding that balance of being patient and being that go-getter that I am to try and get back to the top is a bit tricky.

“The problem is that I have been so on and off (with injuries) that I don’t have much rhythm in my playing style. That is going to be a big thing to get back to the top.

“In tennis, it’s literally a point here, a point there, and if you can really sharpen those instincts during those times, I think it’ll make a great difference, but it’s definitely not easy for sure.”

How Bianca Andreescu captured her first Grand Slam title at the US Open

Andreescu only dropped two sets on her way to the 2019 US Open crown, taking down several top players along the way.

She started off with back-to-back straight-sets wins and then ousted former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the third round.

Round	Opponent
Final	Serena Williams
Semifinals	Belinda Bencic
Quarterfinals	Elise Mertens
Fourth Round	Taylor Townsend
Third Round	Caroline Wozniacki
Second Round	Kirsten Flipkens
First Round	Katie Volynets