Looks like Ostapenko has qualified now according to live rankings. Assuming they are correct, the last place is down to JoKo holding off 5 players - Kuznetsova, Mladenonovic, Vandeweghe, Stephens and garcia after winning the wuhan title today. All of those players need to win the event to get above Jo. Jo in turn can seal it by reaching the semis of this week. In something I didnt know happened, Barty, Garcia and Ostapenko (as semifinalists in the event at Wuhan) earn first round byes, meaning the draw is a 61 player draw. I havent seen that before, is that a surprise to anyone else? Sakkari for her efforts in getting to the semis has had to withdraw from the Wuhan qualies as she doesnt appear to be as deserving of a bye, not having reached the main draw cut.

Looking at it in the round, Jo must be a strong favourite to seal that 8th place. One would imagine from the list above , the WTA would prefer Sloane Stephens to make it through, US Open champ etc. v marketable in the States, but clearly she would need to win to make it 

-- Edited by JonH on Saturday 30th of September 2017 04:19:24 PM

-- Edited by JonH on Saturday 30th of September 2017 05:22:21 PM

Although there are indeed now just four players that can pass Jo in Beijing and they are well clear of the rest, there are two further weeks of Singapore race qualifying, Internationals in the first week and including the Moscow Premier in the second week. So a gross total of 750 ( 280 + 470 ) points can still be added after Beijing. It was ultimately on the back of winning the Moscow Premier title that Kuznetsova qualified for the finals ahead of Jo last year.

So a) the above 4, even if they don't overtake Jo this coming week, could put a dent in Jo's lead and still overtake her later and b) further back I believe another four cling on for now by their fingernails, though I don't know about their post Beijing entry intentions - Pavyluchenkova, Vesnina, Kerber and Barty.

No doubting though that Jo is still in a very good position.

I notice Venus is not in Beijing nor has been seen in competition since the US Open. I have seen nothing to suggest that she won't be in Shanghai but just an observation.

With CoCo retiring and Sloane losing in first round all eyes turn to Caroline... if she doesn't make the semis JoKo pretty much secures her place. Barry and Vesnina stay in contention (potentially play each other next round so one will definitely be eliminated) if they win title but would need further titles in next two weeks to overhaul JoKo

Garcia through to the last 16...

Vesnina next up for Svitolina who could then face the rather more pressing issue of Garcia in the quarters.

Elena could ensure that it's all done and dusted re the Singapore qualifiers.

Yes, her too.

Thanks and apologies to Elina S who plays Elena V next before possibly Caroline.

If Garcia goes out before semis and Vesnina doesn't win the title Jo qualifies