SABALENKA COVETS SWIATEK'S NO. 1 SPOT

On-form Belarusian has chance to close gap on absent Pole in bid to end 2024 at the top

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Aryna Sabalenka said on Sept 24 that she wants to cap a stellar year by returning to the top of the world rankings.

The world No. 2 is the top seed at the China Open this week following the withdrawal of top-ranked Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, because of undisclosed "personal matters".

Fresh from winning the US Open, Sabalenka can take a large step towards overhauling the Pole at the top of the rankings with victory in Beijing.

"Of course that's one of my goals, to finish the season at world No. 1," said the Belarusian, who won the Australian Open at the start of the year for a second time.

But the 26-year-old added: "I'm not trying to focus on that, I'm trying to focus on my game. There are only three tournaments left.

"I'm just trying to bring my best tennis on court. After the season, I'll see if it was enough to finish the year at No. 1 or have to improve something else to get to No. 1."

The three-time Grand Slam champion first became world No. 1 a year ago, before being usurped by Polish star Swiatek.