Beijing presents big hurdles for major champions.
Second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki opens against the dangerous Belinda Bencic.
More: Sabalenka Surges Into Wuhan Final
The 21-year-old Swiss is a on three-match losing streak, but Bencic has won four of six career meetings with Wozniacki.
The slumping Australian Open champion is 3-6 in her last nine matches since she beat Aryna Sabalenka to win her 29th career title in Eastbourne in June.
Reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka, who has won 10 of her last 11 matches, takes on Madison Keys in a rematch of the US Open semifinals. Osaka saved 13 break points beating Keys, 6-2, 6-4, in Flushing Meadows, but the explosive American has won three of their four meetings overall.
Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova is 2-2 lifetime vs. opening-round opponent Daria Gavrilova.
Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber opens against Kristina Mladenovic, who won her last meeting with the German at the 2017 Stuttgart on red clay.
No. 14-seeded Garbine Muguruza meets Ekaterina Makarova in the first round in a rematch of the 2014 Beijing second round, which the left-handed Russian won, 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-4. The winner of the Muguruza-Makarova match will play Wuhan finalist Sabalenka in round two.
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens takes on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a rematch of the 2015 Washington, DC final, which Stephens swept in straight sets.
Photo credit: Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open Facebook