The Wuhan Open delivered a dramatic day of tennis as Naomi Osaka staged a gritty comeback to secure her first-ever victory at the tournament, while Emma Raducanu’s hopes were dashed by illness in the sweltering Chinese heat. The action-packed opening rounds gave fans a taste of resilience, heartbreak, and a few surprises, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying week of women’s tennis.
Naomi Osaka, returning to Wuhan for the first time since 2017, found herself in a familiar position—dropping the opening set to Leylah Fernandez, the very player who had stunned her at the 2021 U.S. Open. But this time, Osaka was determined to rewrite the script. After losing the first set 4-6, Osaka dug deep, rallying to take the second set 7-5 in a battle that featured five service breaks and a combined 13 break points. The heat was relentless, with on-court temperatures soaring above 30°C and humidity pushing the feel even higher, forcing tournament organizers to apply the heat rule and grant both players a 10-minute break before the deciding set.
"Every tournament I go to, I want to play my best game," Osaka said after the match, echoing her commitment to perform at the highest level. The break seemed to rejuvenate her. She raced out to a 3-0 lead in the final set, eventually closing out the match 6-3, sealing victory with a crisp backhand winner on her second match point. The win was more than just a personal milestone—it evened her head-to-head record with Fernandez and made her the first Japanese player to notch at least one win at every current WTA 1000 event.
Osaka’s stats from the match told the story of her tenacity: nine aces, eight double faults, nearly 70% of first-serve points won, and her tenth three-set victory of the season. It was her seventh comeback win of 2025, tying a personal best from 2019. "It’s always tough to play Leylah. She’s a fighter, and today was no different," Osaka remarked, acknowledging the Canadian’s relentless spirit.
Fernandez, meanwhile, started the match strong, breaking Osaka early and holding serve with authority to take the first set in 42 minutes. The Canadian, who had previously bested Osaka on a Grand Slam stage, looked poised for another upset. Yet, Osaka’s ability to weather the storm—both from Fernandez and the punishing conditions—proved decisive. The second set swung back and forth, with Osaka jumping ahead 3-0 and 4-2 before Fernandez clawed back to level at 4-all. But Osaka’s persistence paid off as she broke at love to claim the set and force a decider.
With the heat rule in effect and both players taking advantage of the break, the third set became a test of endurance. Osaka’s experience and fitness shone through as she surged ahead, leaving Fernandez unable to mount a final comeback. The victory not only advances Osaka to the second round for the first time in Wuhan but also extends an impressive run—she’s now won 12 of her last 15 matches, a stretch that includes a Canadian Open final and a U.S. Open semifinal.
Awaiting Osaka in the next round is Linda Noskova, the 20-year-old Czech who recently reached her first WTA 1000 final in Beijing. Noskova battled through her own three-setter against Yulia Putintseva, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(2). With both players coming off grueling matches, their second-round clash promises fireworks and a shot at a career-best result in Wuhan for the winner.
While Osaka was celebrating, Emma Raducanu’s Wuhan campaign came to a premature end. The British No. 1 and 2021 U.S. Open champion retired from her first-round match against American Ann Li, trailing 6-1, 4-1. Raducanu appeared visibly unwell, calling for a trainer after falling a double break down in the second set. Her blood pressure and temperature were checked courtside as she struggled with dizziness and exhaustion, likely brought on by the oppressive conditions—temperatures reached as high as 34°C with humidity at 67%.
Raducanu’s retirement marked her first opening-round exit since Indian Wells in March. "I hope she feels better. I don't know what happened, but you could tell towards the end she was maybe not moving as much," said Ann Li, who now advances to face ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round. For Raducanu, it was the latest setback in a challenging Asian swing, coming off tough losses in Seoul and Beijing where she held match points but failed to close out victories. With her schedule now paused, Raducanu is set to take two weeks off before returning for the Hong Kong Open at the end of October.
The Wuhan Open’s opening rounds also saw other notable results. Iga Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion and world No. 2, powered past Marie Bouzkova 6-1, 6-1 to reach the third round—her 60th win of the year and the fourth consecutive season she’s hit that mark. Swiatek will face either Belinda Bencic or Elise Mertens next, aiming to continue her remarkable consistency on tour. On the flip side, Amanda Anisimova, runner-up at both the U.S. Open and Wimbledon this year, was forced to withdraw from Wuhan due to a left calf injury, fresh off her China Open title.
Elsewhere, Sofia Kenin edged Anastasia Zakharova in a three-set battle and will meet Liudmila Samsonova in the next round. The tournament has already been shaped by the intense heat, with play suspended on outdoor courts and the heat rule invoked multiple times. Players and organizers alike have been forced to adapt, adding another layer of unpredictability to the competition.
Looking ahead, top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are set to make their Wuhan Open debuts, while the field remains wide open with several high-profile contenders already tested by the conditions or sidelined by injury. As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Osaka’s resilience, Raducanu’s recovery, and Swiatek’s relentless pursuit of another title.
The Wuhan Open has wasted no time in delivering drama, upsets, and inspiring comebacks. With the early rounds already setting a high bar for excitement, fans can expect plenty more twists and turns as the world’s best women battle for supremacy in the heart of China.
