Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek have taken different paths following the US Open as the WTA Tour season continues.
The wait for a Sabalenka versus Swiatek Grand Slam final continues after the New York tournament, which was won by the Belarusian.
Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final earlier this month, with the American having knocked out Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
Swiatek is now back on the WTA Tour at the Korea Open, where the top seed meets Sorana Cirstea in her first match.
WTA number two Swiatek kicks off her Asian Swing in Seoul, and is joined by the likes of fellow Grand Slam champions Barbora Krejcikova and Emma Raducanu.
Aryna Sabalenka creates big opening for Iga Swiatek on the WTA Tour
But world number one Sabalenka has withdrawn from the China Open, which follows the Korea Open in the calendar.
And it is a decision that has created a big opening for Swiatek, who can now make a push for the world number one ranking.
The six-time Grand Slam champion is defending zero points in the next month, having been suspended at this stage last year.
She’s currently 2,000 points behind Sabalenka in the Live Race, and has 1,500 on the line at the Korea Open and China Open.
Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek career stats
Sabalenka and Swiatek have enjoyed hugely successful seasons so far, with both players winning a Grand Slam.
The former ended the major season by emerging victorious at the US Open, which followed the latter’s triumph at Wimbledon.
But it is the Belarusian who holds the edge over the Pole in terms of WTA titles in 2025, with four compared to two.
The tables then turn in overall titles won throughout their stunning careers, with Swiatek on 24 and Sabalenka on 21.
| Aryna Sabalenka | Iga Swiatek | |
| 1 | Career-high rank | 1 |
| 21 | WTA titles | 24 |
| 4 | Grand Slam titles | 6 |
| 472 / 198 | Win-loss | 395 / 88 |
| $42,300,521 | Prize money | $42,595,015 |
As for their thrilling head-to-head rivalry, Swiatek holds the bragging rights, winning eight of their 13 matches.
And just as they did last season, the duo will likely play out a very exciting battle for the year-end number one spot, which Sabalenka claimed in 2024.