Looking at the field in Riyadh, it’s clear that resilience was the under-the-radar theme on tour this season.

Sabalenka is joined by Coco Gauff in the Stefanie Graf Group, while Swiatek competes alongside Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys.

Rubin and fellow Tennis Channel Analyst Jan-Michael Gambill also tagged defending champion Coco Gauff as one to watch in Riyadh.

The Kazakh secured her spot in the elite eight-woman event with a straight-set victory over Victoria Mboko in the Japanese capital.

The Kazakh will become the final qualifier for the elite eight-player event if she reaches the semifinals in Tokyo this week.

It now comes down to Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina for the final spot in the elite eight-woman field.

What was more than a 500-point difference between No. 7 and No. 8 last week is now less than a 200-point gap.

She joins Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and countrywomen Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys in the field.

Either Pegula, Andreeva, Paolini or Rybakina will be the odd one out when all is said and done.

Three Americans joined Sabalenka and Swiatek in the eight-player field during Beijing. Who will be next?

She joins Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova in the elite eight-player field.