Wuhan Open qualifying: Iva Jovic and Bianca Andreescu get off to winning start, Alexandra Eala fails to progress

The final WTA 1000 event of the year is just around the corner, as the tennis world turn their attention to the Wuhan Open, with a strong field travelling to compete for glory. Qualifying for the tournament if officially underway, with mixed results for some of the standout players, including Iva Jovic, Bianca Andreescu, and Alexandra Eala.

The first round of qualifying has been completed, with the second round set to commence tomorrow as players competing look for a fantastic opportunity to not just play against the best, but challenge them on the court and go on a deep run, which could be life changing.

Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning champion, with last year's finalist Zheng Qinwen withdrawing from her home event due to a re-occurring issue with her right elbow, which she recently had surgery on. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Amanda Anisimova are just a few of the big names ready to play in Wuhan.

Iva Jovic continues brilliant form

Nothing is currently fazing 17-year-old Jovic, who continues to impress on the world's stage. The American took down Kamilla Rakhimova 6-3, 6-4 to progress to the next stage of qualifying, where she is the number one seed, being ranked 37th in the world. This is in contrast to the recent China Open, where she automatically squeezed in as the 32nd seed.

She recently won her maiden WTA title in the Guadalajara Open, defeating Emiliana Arango in straight sets. Since that triumph, she has lost in the opening round of the Suzhou and Beijing but is now back to winning ways in Wuhan.

Jovic broke early on to go 3-1 ahead, clinching her fourth break point. She went on to save three break points before claiming her first set point to keep her Russian opponent at arm's length. She snuck in front in the second set with a ruthless break, going on a period where she won eight consecutive points. She took her second match point to secure a solid victory. She will face Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva in the next round.

Match Statistics Jovic vs. Rakhimova

Andreescu looking to make Wuhan debut

The former US Open has had a whole host of injury problems which has prevented her from progressing in the sport. Before the Cincinnati Open, she had made it to three consecutive WTA 1000 events, including a fourth-round appearance in Rome. She was unable to make any impact in Beijing, departing after a first-round exit to Hungarian qualifier Anna Bondar.

The Canadian kicked off her qualifying ambitions to the perfect start as she defeated Tereza Valentova 6-4, 6-2. Andreescu went 3-0 ahead in the first set, before her opponent managed to break back. After the pair traded breaks, Valentova managed to level at 4-4, but Andreescu found a definitive break to clinch the first set.

Despite being broken early in the second set, it was more routine for the two-time 1000 title winner, who won four games on the bounce to go 4-1 up, before comfortably seeing the tie out. To qualify for Wuhan for the first time, she must get the better of Anastasia Zakharova.

Match Statistics Andreescu vs. Valentova

Disappointment for Eala

One of the brightest young stars will not feature in Wuhan next week, as Eala dropped out of the event after losing to Moyuka Uchijima 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The Filipino had added her first WTA title in the 125 event in Guadalajara but could not replicate that form in her home continent.

She found herself behind very early on, but managed to break back a few games later to level the first set at 3-3. Straight after, Uchijima took command once more and saved a break point on the way to taking the first set. Eala levelled it up straight after, once again going down a break at the beginning of the second set but clawed herself back into it as she won six of the next eight games to force a last-set decider.

The Japanese player punished Eala for missed chances throughout the third set, taking her opportunities in the process to dump out the 20-year-old and hugely boost her chances of appearing in Wuhan.

Match Statistics Eala vs. Uchijima