Another former Grand Slam champion has withdrawn from the China Open in Beijing with an injury.

Former U.S. Open champion, the Briton Emma Raducanu said she was skipping the WTA 1000 tournament due to a foot injury.

World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek will also not compete in the Open due to “personal matters”. The Pole made the announcement last week. It is her second withdrawal in as many weeks from tournaments she was entered to play following the US Open.

‘World number two Alexander Zverev has also pulled out due to pneumonia’

Swiatek’s tournament ended when she was beaten in the quarterfinals by eventual finalist Jessica Pegula.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, and three-times Grand Slam runner-up, the Tunisian Ons Jabeur have also decided to skip the Beijing event.

In the men’s ATP 500 tournament, world number two Alexander Zverev has also pulled out due to pneumonia. The 27-year old recently took part in the Laver Cup, helping Team Europe to lift the trophy with an impressive win over Frances Tiafoe on the final day.

‘The men’s defending champion will face world number 28’

However, he struggled physically in his match against Taylor Fritz and has seemingly decided to rest and recuperate for the time being.

World number 54, the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic, has replaced him in the draw. The men’s defending champion Jannik Sinner will be taking part in the tournament and will face world number 28 (and Chilean number 2), Nicolas Jarry in the first round.

The tournament takes place from the 26th of September to the 2nd of October.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger mvh