World number one Justine Henin won’t play at the next week’s China Open in Beijing because of breathing problems she has been suffering for a few months, which were diagnosed as chronic asthma.

These health problems haven’t prevented the 25-year-old Belgian from winning the US Open 2007, but her doctor has advised her to take a short break now. If everything goes as planned, Henin will play at three more tournaments this season: in Filderstadt, Zurich and Madrid. (source: Justine Henin's website)

Amelie Mauresmo has skipped some very significant tournaments lately: the Rogers Cup, Pilot Pen, and above all the US Open. However, the two-time Grand Slam champion will compete in the China Open, which starts September 17 in Beijing.

Last week, Mauresmo started training for the tournament in China, but her main goal remains to make the next season much more satisfying than the current one. Loic Courteau, the Frenchwoman’s coach, said that Mauresmo’s main objective is to find her rhythm again.

In the next WTA Tour rankings, Marion Bartoli will become the French number one, taking the place of Amelie Mauresmo who will be world number eleven. (via Ace 2007)

Chinese number one Na Li will miss this month's China Open because of a right rib injury which has been bothering her since June. Everything started at the DFS Classic, a tournament in Birmingham, when Na Li couldn’t stop coughing because of her pollen allergy. Since then, we haven’t seen her on court at all.

Another Chinese player will miss China Open. World No.129 Jie Zheng, Wimbledon 2006 doubles champion, won’t play in Beijing because of an ankle injury.

These persistent injuries prevented Na Li and Jie Zheng from taking part in both Wimbledon and US Open, and there is little hope that they will recover soon.

"It is very bad news," Chinese Tennis Association (CTA) vice president Gao Shenyang told China Daily.

"Their rehabilitation is slower than we expected, I am not sure when they will be back." (via Reuters)