The energy was electric at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center in Wuhan, China, as Aryna Sabalenka continued her remarkable run at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open on October 10, 2025. The world number one dispatched Elena Rybakina in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, in a quarterfinal clash that had tennis fans glued to their screens. Sabalenka’s victory not only extended her astonishing Wuhan Open winning streak to 20 matches but also put her on the brink of a fourth consecutive title at this prestigious tournament.
Sabalenka’s path to the semifinals was anything but ordinary. The Belarusian powerhouse, who previously lifted the Wuhan trophy in 2018, 2019, and 2024, once again demonstrated her dominance on the hard courts. Her latest triumph means she joins an elite group—she is now only the fourth female player since 1990 to win her first 20 main-draw matches at a single WTA event. That list includes tennis legends Monica Seles (33 wins), Steffi Graf (25 wins), and Caroline Wozniacki (20 wins). Not bad company to keep, right?
The match itself was a showcase of Sabalenka’s trademark aggression and mental fortitude. She grabbed a crucial break in the eighth game of the first set, finishing off a tense rally with a blistering forehand winner. While she did face a few hiccups on serve as the match progressed, Sabalenka’s ability to rebound under pressure set her apart. "That sounds crazy. I never thought that I'd be able to achieve something like that," Sabalenka said after the match, her voice tinged with disbelief and pride, according to Sky News. She continued, "I think today I put so much pressure on her serve and I was serving quite well. Overall, I think it was a very high level match and I'm super happy with the win."
Her opponent, Elena Rybakina, came into the quarterfinals with momentum, having defeated Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4 in the Round of 16. But against Sabalenka, Rybakina found herself constantly on the back foot. Sabalenka’s relentless baseline play and powerful serves kept Rybakina scrambling, and despite some flashes of brilliance, the Kazakhstani star couldn’t find a way to break her rival’s rhythm.
Sabalenka’s journey to the quarterfinals included a convincing win over Liudmila Samsonova, 6-3, 6-2, in the Round of 16. Each match has reinforced her status as the player to beat in Wuhan, a city and tournament that has become something of a fortress for her. The Wuhan Open, after all, holds a special place in Sabalenka’s career. She claimed her first title here in 2018 and followed it up with another in 2019. After the event took a pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Sabalenka returned to reclaim her crown in 2024, and now she’s two matches away from making it four in a row.
But the road ahead is far from easy. Standing between Sabalenka and yet another final is American star Jessica Pegula, who booked her own semifinal berth with a gritty, come-from-behind win over Katerina Siniakova. Pegula dropped the first set 2-6 but stormed back to take the next two sets 6-0, 6-3 in their quarterfinal showdown. Pegula’s resilience and tactical prowess have made her a tough out on the tour, and her clash with Sabalenka promises fireworks.
The Wuhan Open quarterfinals have been nothing short of spectacular this year. Alongside Sabalenka’s and Pegula’s victories, fans have been treated to high-stakes battles, including Laura Siegemund’s win over Magdalena Frech (6-4, 7-6) and Jasmine Paolini’s hard-fought victory against Clara Tauson (3-6, 6-1, 3-1). Siegemund was set to face Coco Gauff, who advanced past Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-2, while the highly anticipated matchup between Jasmine Paolini and world number two Iga Swiatek was scheduled for later in the day.
Broadcast coverage has been comprehensive, with the Tennis Channel offering live action and highlights for fans unable to attend in person. The tournament’s hard court surface has favored aggressive baseliners like Sabalenka, but the diversity of playing styles on display has kept every match unpredictable. The Wuhan Open, part of the WTA’s Asian swing, has long been a proving ground for the tour’s elite, and this year is no exception.
Sabalenka’s consistency at this event is quickly becoming the stuff of legend. Since 2018, she’s turned the Wuhan Open into her personal playground, brushing aside opponents with a blend of raw power and tactical intelligence. It’s not just about the wins, though—it’s about how she’s winning. Her ability to elevate her game under pressure, especially in key moments, is what sets her apart. That crucial break in the eighth game against Rybakina? That’s vintage Sabalenka—fearless, focused, and utterly determined.
Looking back at the tournament’s recent history, it’s clear that Sabalenka’s achievements are rewriting the record books. Monica Seles’ 33-win streak at a single event once seemed untouchable, but Sabalenka’s 20 consecutive main-draw victories in Wuhan place her firmly in the conversation among the game’s greats. Steffi Graf and Caroline Wozniacki, both former world number ones and Grand Slam champions, also achieved the 20-win milestone, but Sabalenka’s ongoing run suggests she may not be done just yet.
Of course, the semifinals are looming large. Jessica Pegula, who has steadily climbed the rankings with a string of impressive results, represents a significant hurdle. Pegula’s ability to adapt mid-match, as shown in her comeback win over Siniakova, could pose problems for Sabalenka if she has another patchy spell on serve. But if Sabalenka maintains the form she’s shown so far, fans could be in for another dominant display.
Elsewhere in the draw, the likes of Swiatek, Gauff, and Paolini are all vying for a spot in the finals, ensuring the closing rounds will be packed with drama and world-class tennis. The Wuhan Open’s return after the pandemic has restored one of the sport’s most vibrant stages, and the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one for the ages.
As the semifinals approach, all eyes remain fixed on Aryna Sabalenka. Can she extend her streak and claim a historic fourth title, or will an in-form Pegula spoil the party? One thing’s for sure: with the level of tennis on display, anything can happen in Wuhan. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the WTA’s best battle for supremacy under the lights of the Optics Valley International Tennis Center.
