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Ashleigh Barty’s Indian Wells decision could help Emma Raducanu to WTA Finals

  • Australian world No 1 not playing in California casts further doubt on season finale in Mexico, giving US Open champion hope
  • Naomi Osaka, who is among Road to Finals top eight, also uncertain to take part after pulling out of Indian Wells

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World No 1 Ashleigh Barty of Australia returns a shot during her match against Jil Teichmann of Switzerland during the 2021 Western and Southern Open final. Photo: Susan Mullane-USA Today Sports

Ashleigh Barty’s decision to pull out of the Indian Wells tournament has cast doubt over her involvement in the season ending WTA Finals and given a sliver of hope that US Open singles champion Emma Raducanu might see off her breakout year in style.

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The world No 1 is one of three players to have already qualified for the finale, which will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico in November.

Last week the WTA announced that Barty was joined by world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka and French Open winner Barbora Krejcikova as the three players to have booked their tickets.

Originally set for Shenzhen, the WTA Finals see the top eight singles players and top eight doubles pairings invited to play out for the Billie Jean King Trophy and the Martina Navratilova Trophy.

World No 22 Raducanu, is currently No 14 on the Race to the WTA Tour Finals standings but both Barty and Naomi Osaka have cast doubt on their involvement.

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