BEIJING, Sept 29, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Newly crowned world number one Aryna

Sabalenka said Friday she is "super motivated" to finish the year in top spot
as she prepares to compete in the China Open in Beijing.

The Belarusian lost the US Open Final to homegrown talent Coco Gauff this
month but has found succour in rising to the summit of the rankings for the
first time.

But the 25-year-old is not content to stop there.

"It's also about finishing the year as world number one and staying there as
long as (I) can," Sabalenka said in response to a question from AFP.

"It's good that I was able to achieve this goal, but there's another goal and
so I'm super motivated right now," she said.

"The expectation here in Beijing is to bring my best tennis and do everything
I can on court."

The China Open is being held for the first time since 2019 after Beijing
abandoned its stringent zero-Covid policy.

The women's tour has also returned to China after its global governing body
ended its boycott of the country.

The Women's Tennis Association had halted its engagements there after Chinese
player Peng Shuai accused a top government official of sexual assault in
2021.