Preview WTA Ningbo Open 2024: Zheng Qinwen, Emma Navarro and Jasmine Paolini lead the charge, defending champion Jabeur absent

The Ningbo Open is set to take place between October 14 and 20 with a star-studded draw led by Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen, and Emma Navarro. This year, the tournament has been upgraded from WTA 250 to 500, is played on outdoor hard courts, and will feature 8 players ranked within the top 15.

Despite the end of the WTA 1000 events in China Open and Wuhan Open, there are still ranking points up for grabs during the final stretch of the season in the Asian swing. With a draw of 28 players, exciting matches are expected right from the first round.

Unfortunately, defending champion Ons Jabeur will not be participating in the tournament, as she has decided to end her season. Her last appearance was at the Canadian Open, but injuries prevented her from playing in Cincinnati and the US Open, leading to her withdrawal from the tour for the remainder of 2024.

However, strong names won’t be lacking in the draw. The top four seeds of the tournament received a first-round bye and are waiting to see who their opponents will be. These are Jasmine Paolini (1), Zheng Qinwen (2), Emma Navarro (3), and Barbora Krejcikova (4). But they are not the only big names in the field.

Zheng, in fact, could face Czech player Karolina Muchova in her debut. Muchova entered with a protected ranking and will play qualifier Olivia Gadecki in the first round. Muchova already defeated Zheng a few weeks ago in the semifinals of the China Open and is in great form after a long absence from the tour.

Russian players Daria Kasatkina (5th seed) and Mirra Andreeva could meet in a second-round showdown, provided both live up to their seeding in their opening matches against qualifiers. Diana Shnaider (finalist in 2023) will face a tough start, as she’s drawn against World No. 15 Paula Badosa (8th), who has shown strong form in recent months.

Other notable names in the tournament include Beatriz Haddad Maia (who reached the top 10 again this week), Anna Kalinskaya, Yulia Putintseva, and Katie Boulter.