Swiatek withdraws from Ningbo, with Anastasia Zakharova replacing her

Iga Swiatek has withdrawn from the Ningbo WTA 500 tournament with a left thigh injury, organisers said. Anastasia Zakharova will take her place in the main draw.

The 25-year-old Polish player is ranked ninth in the world. In a statement released by the organisers, she said she needed time to recover from the thigh problem.

Russia's Zakharova, 24, will begin in the second round against Czech player Marie Bouzkova.

The tournament in Ningbo, China, runs from October 19 to 25. Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina is the defending champion.