The Wuhan Open is back in full swing, and the city’s courts are buzzing with big names, dramatic comebacks, and a string of compelling storylines that have fans glued to every rally. Tuesday’s action saw reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek make a thunderous statement, Aryna Sabalenka shake off the rust to keep her Wuhan streak alive, and Naomi Osaka battle through a rollercoaster of emotions. Let’s dive into the whirlwind of tennis that’s unfolded in central China.
Iga Swiatek, the six-time Grand Slam winner and current world No. 2, powered her way into the third round of the Wuhan Open with a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Czech challenger Marie Bouzkova. Swiatek’s win wasn’t just another notch in her belt—it marked her 60th match win of 2025, an astonishing feat she’s now accomplished for four consecutive years. After a disappointing fourth-round exit at the China Open just a week prior, Swiatek’s performance in Wuhan was nothing short of a statement.
"Every tournament I go to, I want to play my best game," Swiatek said after her dominant showing. "Sometimes I deliver, sometimes not, but, yeah, my expectation is to just do my best. Honestly, I don’t set goals like semifinal or whatever—just really making it step by step." That approach has clearly served her well. Swiatek awaits either Belinda Bencic or Elise Mertens in the next round, and with her current form, she’s certainly a favorite to go deep in the tournament.
But Swiatek wasn’t the only major headline on Tuesday. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and three-time defending Wuhan Open champion, returned to action for the first time since her triumphant run at the US Open. Sabalenka’s opening match against Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova was a tale of two halves—well, three sets, to be precise. She dropped the first set 4-6, her game riddled with errors and double faults as she struggled to shake off the post-Grand Slam cobwebs.
Sabalenka admitted, "I knew it would be not easy after the break [following the US Open] to get into my rhythm but I am glad in the second set I found my game, I stepped in and I played really great. I have to say she played incredible tennis, especially in the first set and there was not much I could do." Once the Belarusian found her groove, there was no stopping her. She stormed back to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-1, showcasing the kind of relentless power and competitive fire that’s made her a fan favorite in Wuhan.
Sabalenka’s love affair with Wuhan is legendary. With titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024 (the tournament was on hiatus from 2020 to 2023 due to the pandemic), she’s earned a slew of nicknames from local fans. “First I was ‘Daughter of China’, then ‘Queen of Fried Rice’ [a nickname she says is in honour of her love of the dish],” Sabalenka joked. “And then I talked to [China's world number 10 Zheng] Qinwen and they actually call me 'Tiger'. So many nicknames. I won so many tournaments here and it feels like home, I hope I can go all the way.”
Sabalenka’s next test comes in the form of Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who dispatched former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Kenin had earlier edged out Anastasia Zakharova in a hard-fought three-setter, but couldn’t sustain her momentum against Samsonova’s aggressive baseline play.
The Wuhan Open hasn’t been without its share of drama and adversity. British No. 1 Emma Raducanu was forced to retire ill during her first-round match against American Ann Li. Raducanu had her blood pressure checked and temperature taken mid-match, but ultimately couldn’t continue, trailing 6-1, 4-1 at the time of her retirement. Ann Li moves on to face No. 9 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the next round, hoping to build on her unexpected opportunity.
Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka returned to Wuhan’s center court for the first time since 2017 and found herself in a familiar battle with Leylah Fernandez—the same player who famously upset her at the 2021 US Open. This time, Osaka rallied from a set down to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory, showing grit and resilience in front of an appreciative crowd. Osaka’s run, however, was short-lived. In the following round, she fell to Czech rising star Linda Noskova, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. Noskova, currently ranked 17th in the world, continues to impress during the Asian swing after reaching the China Open final earlier in the month.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the tournament’s top seeds. Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed and recent US Open finalist, breezed into the third round with a 51-minute demolition of Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima. Gauff’s serve was untouchable, with Uchijima managing just five points on the American’s delivery. Gauff’s next opponent will be China’s Shuai Zhang, who upset Sorana Cirstea to the delight of the home crowd.
Jessica Pegula, seeded sixth, survived a marathon encounter against fellow American Hailey Baptiste. Pegula eventually prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) after nearly three hours on court, converting her seventh match point. She’ll face Ekaterina Alexandrova in what promises to be another closely contested battle.
The Wuhan Open’s punishing heat and humidity have also played a role, with Czech 12th seed Karolina Muchova forced to retire while trailing 7-6 (7-1), 4-1 against Poland’s Magdalena Frech. The conditions have tested the endurance of even the fittest athletes, adding another unpredictable layer to an already intense tournament.
Notably absent from the draw is Amanda Anisimova, who withdrew due to a left calf muscle injury after capturing the China Open title. Her absence leaves the field slightly more open, though with the likes of Swiatek, Sabalenka, Gauff, and Pegula still in contention, the path to the Wuhan crown remains as treacherous as ever.
With the third round on the horizon, all eyes are on whether Aryna Sabalenka can extend her remarkable Wuhan streak and if Iga Swiatek can maintain her blistering form. The tournament’s blend of upsets, comebacks, and emerging stars has already delivered plenty of drama, and with the action far from over, fans can expect even more fireworks as the week unfolds.
As night falls over Wuhan, the city’s courts are alive with possibility. The world’s best are battling not just for a title, but for the right to etch their names into the tournament’s storied history. Stay tuned—this year’s Wuhan Open is shaping up to be one for the ages.
