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Spotlight shift: Elena Rybakina withdraws as replacements step up
Photo by Wang He/Getty ImagesElena Rybakina pulls out of Billie Jean King Cup before Stuttgart OpenThe Womens Stuttgart Open is almost here, but Elena Rybakina still hasnt shown up.She hasnt officially pulled out of the tournament and is currently set to be the top seed after Aryna Sabalenka decided not to play.The Kazakhstani players last appearance was at the Miami Open, where she reached the semi-final before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.Even though she hasnt withdrawn from Stuttgart yet, Rybakina has already pulled out of another event scheduled before it.Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesElena Rybakina pulls out of high-profile eventOrganisers have confirmed via Instagram that Elena Rybakina will not be taking part in the One Point Challenge scheduled before the start of the Stuttgart Open.The event follows a similar format to the Australian Opens One Point Slam, where both professionals and amateurs compete against each other in a single-point contest.The lineup also featured several celebrities, including Bundesliga goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow.However, organisers noted that Rybakina is still expected to take her place in the main draw once play gets underway next week.Unfortunately, Elena Rybakina cant participate in tomorrows event, but were looking forward to seeing her next week on Centre Court for her first match, they said.Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff are already training at the tournament, making Rybakina one of the last top seeds yet to make an appearance ahead of Stuttgarts start date on Monday 15th April.Replacements for Elena Rybakina confirmedStepping in for Rybakina are Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina, both of whom are already slated to appear in the main draw.Badosas move came after she accepted a wild card from the Open de Rouen before deciding to play in Stuttgart instead.Svitolina has been enjoying a very strong start to the season on the WTA Tour.The Ukrainian currently sits at number seven in the world rankings, with 20 wins already under her belt and a title secured at the ASB Classic.Theres also a chance the two could face off in Stuttgart, with Svitolina set to meet either Badosa or Eva Lys, depending on how that match plays out.Read more:Brutal route: Alexandra Ealas Stuttgart path may include Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina showdownsAryna Sabalenkas coach reveals whats changed to help avoid another French Open final outburstJessica Pegula explains what surprised her about Charleston title defence
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