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Iga Swiatek reacts to what Aryna Sabalenka said about the number-one ranking at the China Open

Following a straight-sets victory against Gao Xinyu in her opening match at the tournament, Iga Swiatek addressed remarks made by fellow competitor Aryna Sabalenka regarding the pursuit of the top ranking. Swiatek expressed empathy for Sabalenka's perspective, noting the unique pressure of defending the leading position while acknowledging her own current standing at tenth in the world rankings.

With the season drawing to a close, Swiatek emphasized her primary focus on securing qualification for the upcoming WTA Finals by taking each remaining contest one step at a time. Although she currently sits outside the top-eight qualification threshold following a challenging year without a Grand Slam title, a strong performance during the current event in Beijing could help her bridge the gap.

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