WUHAN, China — The drama and excitement at the Wuhan Open reached new heights on Thursday as Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning U.S. Open champion, continued her extraordinary run at the tournament. With a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Liudmila Samsonova, Sabalenka extended her winning streak at Wuhan to a remarkable 19 matches, securing her place in the quarterfinals of the prestigious WTA 1000-level event.
Sabalenka’s dominance in Wuhan is no fluke. The world No. 1 has made the city her personal fortress, capturing titles here in 2018, 2019, and 2024. Now, as she eyes another deep run, the tennis world is left to wonder — can anyone stop her at this venue? Her latest triumph over Samsonova was clinical, marked by relentless baseline aggression and a steely focus that’s become her trademark.
"All of us want to beat all the records, I think it’s so obvious," Sabalenka told reporters at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center following her win. Yet, she remains grounded about her place in tennis history. "I think the right thing to do is focus on yourself, on your game, on developing yourself as the player and the person and if you deserve these big titles, if you deserve to beat some records, you will."
Sabalenka’s humility shines as she reflects on the towering achievements of legends like Serena Williams and Margaret Court. With four Grand Slam titles and seven major finals under her belt — including back-to-back U.S. Open crowns in 2024 and 2025, and Australian Open victories in 2023 and 2024 — Sabalenka is carving her own path. But she’s quick to acknowledge the challenge of matching Williams’ 23 Grand Slam titles or Court’s all-time record of 24. "Of course, I want to, but it’s going to be really tough to compete with the Grand Slam titles that Serena has. I guess for me, the goal is to go as far as I can in this sport, and I do my best every day. I dedicate my life to the sport. So I really hope that by the end of my career, I’ll sit back, I’ll look at my results, and I’ll be really proud of myself."
Sabalenka’s journey has not been without setbacks. Earlier this year, she suffered tough losses in the Australian Open and French Open finals, but rather than dwell on disappointment, she’s used those moments as fuel. "I think those tough losses and things that I had to deal this year definitely made me stronger as a person and better as a player," she said. "You know, it’s a learning process. And what I learned throughout the years is to accept everything and just do your best at the moment. And that’s it. Basically, that’s all you can control."
Her focus now turns to her next opponent, eighth-seeded Elena Rybakina, who advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Linda Noskova. Rybakina, a formidable force in her own right, is seeking a coveted spot at the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, making this quarterfinal clash one to watch. With both players in top form, fans are bracing for a battle that could shape the rest of the tournament.
Elsewhere in Wuhan, the action was just as compelling. World No. 2 Iga Swiatek continued her impressive season, outlasting former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 7-6 (2), 6-4 to book her place in the quarterfinals. Swiatek’s victory improved her career record against Bencic to 5-1, a run that includes a straight-sets triumph in the Wimbledon semifinals this past July. She’ll next face Jasmine Paolini, who advanced after Clara Tauson retired while trailing 3-6, 6-1, 3-1.
Swiatek’s measured approach and tactical prowess have made her a fixture at the business end of major tournaments. Her consistency is paying off, and her rivalry with Sabalenka continues to be one of the most anticipated storylines in women’s tennis.
American star Coco Gauff also made waves, dispatching Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-2 in a performance that erased memories of her semifinal loss to Amanda Anisimova at the China Open just a week prior. Gauff’s next test comes in the form of Laura Siegemund, and she’ll be eager to keep her momentum rolling as the tournament enters its critical stages.
Jessica Pegula, seeded sixth, provided one of the day’s grittiest performances. Pegula overcame an early service break in the third set to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. This marks Pegula’s sixth consecutive three-set match, and she’s emerged victorious in five of them — a testament to her resilience and fighting spirit. Just a day earlier, she survived a marathon against Hailey Baptiste, needing seven match points to close out the win. "I can’t remember the last time I played two sets," Pegula confessed after her latest triumph. "But I’ve been competing really hard and I’ve been playing a lot of really good players. It was different conditions today with the roof closed and I think it took us a little while to get adjusted."
With the roof closed due to weather, players faced unique challenges, adjusting their strategies and timing to the altered environment. Yet, the top seeds adapted with the poise expected at this level, delivering high-quality tennis for the fans in Wuhan and viewers around the world.
As the Wuhan Open heads toward its decisive stages, the field is stacked with storylines. Sabalenka’s quest for a fourth Wuhan title and a 20th consecutive win here stands as one of the tournament’s defining narratives. Swiatek’s relentless form, Gauff’s resurgence, and Pegula’s marathon heroics add further intrigue.
For Sabalenka, the focus remains on the present. "I feel like goals are so obvious, you know, and I don’t like to set up a goal. I love to focus on myself, and that what I learned throughout the year about myself, that I have to just focus on myself. And anyway, whenever I’m there competing, I want to win, so I focus on each match, like step by step." That philosophy has served her well, and as she prepares for her next challenge, the tennis world will be watching closely.
With the quarterfinals looming, anticipation is building in Wuhan. Will Sabalenka’s streak continue? Can Swiatek, Gauff, or Pegula seize the moment? The answers are coming soon, and the action promises to be unforgettable.
