US Open champion Sloane Stephens to compete in WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai after Hong Kong withdrawal
The US Open champion was forced to withdraw from the Hong Kong Open two weeks ago with an injury
“I’m excited to be coming to Zhuhai,” said Stephens. “Qualifying for an elite year-end event is a great reward at the end of what has been an incredible year for me.
“I can’t wait to compete hard against those other great players and try to end this season on a high.”
Stephens became the highest-profile name on a list of players who pulled out of the Hong Kong Open in the days leading up to the event.
Earlier this week, France’s Kristina Mladenovic, who also withdrew from the Hong Kong event with injury following a defeat in Beijing, revealed that she too had recovered sufficiently enough to compete in Zhuhai.
All four have recovered well enough to take their places at the lucrative end-of-season events in Singapore and Zhuhai.
WATCH: Daria Gavrilova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova entertain themselves during a Hong Kong Tennis Open final rain suspension
OMG I'm so glad someone captured this LMAOOOO @simivey is a natural dancer isn't he @NastiaPav @Daria_gav pic.twitter.com/MeWr6x7hgF— FF (@Flying_FF_) October 16, 2017
Both players then moved on to compete at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Pavlyuchenkova was beaten in the first round, while Gavrilova made it to the second round before retiring injured.
Pavlyuchenkova is also set to play in Zhuhai.