The Asian swing is not slowing down yet with a second straight WTA 1000 event set to take place at the Wuhan Open.

The event is back after a five-year absence and, having won the title in 2018 and 2019, Aryna Sabalenka is looking to complete an elongated ‘threepeat’ this coming week.

However, the Belarusian is not the only big name vying for the title.

Coco Gauff comes into the tournament fresh off winning her eighth career title at the China Open, with Jasmine Paolini, Jessica Pegula, and Zheng Qinwen also all in action.

Ahead of action getting underway on Monday, we make our pre-tournament predictions.

Sabalenka bounces back with Wuhan ‘threepeat’

Sabalenka’s China Open campaign ended in disappointment, the world No 2 falling to long-term nemesis Karolina Muchova in the last eight.

That loss means her quest to regain the world No 1 ranking has been delayed for now, but she can close the gap on Iga Swiatek this week – and should be able to do so.

The two-time Wuhan champion does not have the easiest draw; she could face 15th seed Donna Vekic in round three, Emma Navarro in the last eight, and Gauff in the last four.

However, the fast conditions in Wuhan are well-suited to her game, and she is still the title favourite despite the end of her 15-match win streak.

With a few days to rest post-Beijing, she should be primed for a run to the title.

Gauff continues resurgence

Beijing was a huge success for Gauff, who showed all her grit and determination in her quarter and semi-final wins before delivering a confident, high-quality display in the final.

It was the perfect start to life under new coach Matt Daly, and there is no reason to think that she won’t continue her resurgence in Wuhan.

Like all the top eight seeds, she has the advantage of an opening bye, which means she will have time to recover physically and mentally after her China Open win.

She initially has a good draw in Wuhan, with court conditions and her return to form likely to suit her in potential match-ups versus 13th seed Marta Kostyuk and eighth seed Daria Kasatkina.

A semi-final against Sabalenka could prove to be a stumbling block, though there is no reason she can’t go deep into the event.

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Home star Qinwen shines

Qinwen starred on her way to a semi-final showing in Beijing, though her semi-final loss to Muchova did come as a disappointment.

However, the fifth seed is clearly in good form and has an advantageous draw on home turf.

She is on the bottom half of the draw, avoiding the likes of Sabalenka and Gauff, and projected quarter-final opponent Jasmine Paolini has not been in her French Open and Wimbledon form in recent weeks.

The Chinese could face Muchova or 12th seed Diana Shnaider in round three, but her aggressive game should thrive on the faster Wuhan courts.

With some big hitters well away from her in the draw, it would not surprise us to see the 21-year-old reach her first WTA 1000 final.

Can Pegula bounce back?

After a supremely successful summer, world No 3 Pegula did not look at her best in Beijing – beaten heavily by Paula Badosa in the fourth round in Beijing.

The American is another who should benefit from the quicker conditions in Wuhan but there is a potential stumbling block for her.

Pegula could again face 14th seed Badosa, this time in round three, and it will be interesting to see what the US Open runner-up learnt from her heavy China Open loss.

We expect the American to bounce back and earn revenge against her Spanish rival, with a potential blockbuster semi-final against Qinwen.

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