U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her Wuhan Open winning streak to 19 matches, advancing to the quarterfinals alongside top-ranked Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. Jessica Pegula also battled through a tough three-setter to secure her spot.
U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominant run at the Wuhan Open, extending her winning streak at the tournament to 19 matches by defeating Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2. Sabalenka, who has won Wuhan titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024, is set to face eighth-seeded Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. Rybakina secured her spot by beating Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4, as she aims for a WTA Finals entry. Top-ranked Iga Swiatek also advanced, overcoming former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 7-6 (2), 6-4, improving her career record against Bencic to 5-1. Swiatek will next play Jasmine Paolini, who progressed after Clara Tauson retired during their match. Third-seeded Coco Gauff, fresh off a semifinal loss at the China Open, eased past Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-2 and will now face Laura Siegemund. Earlier, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula fought back from a third-set deficit to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, marking her fifth win in six consecutive three-set matches. Pegula, who also reached the China Open semifinals, noted the challenging conditions and her consistent competitive spirit.
