U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run at the Wuhan Open, extending her winning streak to 19 matches with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Liudmila Samsonova on Thursday. The world No. 1, who claimed Wuhan titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024, advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 tournament and will face eighth-seeded Elena Rybakina next. Rybakina, aiming to secure a spot in the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 to set up the clash.
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek also progressed, overcoming former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 7-6 (2), 6-4. Swiatek, now 5-1 against Bencic, including a straight-sets win in the 2023 Wimbledon semifinals, will meet Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals. Paolini advanced after Clara Tauson retired trailing 3-6, 6-1, 3-1.
No. 3 Coco Gauff, fresh off a semifinal loss at the China Open, cruised past Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-2 in a late match. Gauff will take on Laura Siegemund in the next round.
Jessica Pegula, the sixth seed, battled through her sixth consecutive three-set match, outlasting Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the final eight. After dropping an early break in the third set, Pegula rallied to win four of the last five games. Reflecting on the grueling match, Pegula noted, “I’ve been competing hard against top players. The closed roof changed conditions, but I adjusted.” Her win followed a tough second-round battle against Hailey Baptiste, where she needed seven match points to advance.
The Wuhan Open continues to deliver thrilling tennis as the world’s top players vie for the title and valuable ranking points.
