Pegula topples Sabalenka’s Wuhan stronghold
Jessica Pegula’s gritty comeback in the Wuhan semifinal shattered Aryna Sabalenka’s 20-match reign, turning exhaustion into triumph and paving the way for an all-American final clash.
In the sweltering evening at Optics Valley International Tennis Centre, Jessica Pegula stared down Aryna Sabalenka’s imposing legacy on Saturday. The world No. 1 had reigned unbeaten for 20 matches in Wuhan, her explosive serves and inside-out forehands carving through opponents on the hard courts. But Pegula, fresh off seven straight three-setters on the Asian swing with six victories, including her first four here, flipped the script in a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) thriller that lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes, marking her third career win over the Belarusian and snapping the streak with unyielding resolve.
Absorbing the early onslaught
Sabalenka seized the first set with blistering crosscourt forehands, her power thriving on the surface’s true bounce and forcing Pegula into underspin defenses that skidded low. The American, who entered 0-29 against top-10 players after losing the opener—with 27 straight-set defeats—refused to crumble, extending rallies to probe weaknesses in the No. 1’s patterns. By varying depths and redirecting pace, she clawed into the second set, breaking serve to level the match at one apiece through patient one–two combinations that dulled the thunder from across the net.
Details from Wuhan’s scores, draws, and order of play highlighted Pegula’s momentum, as her consistency in points beyond eight shots began to wear on Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline game. The crowd’s energy swelled with each prolonged exchange, the humid air thick with anticipation as the American stepped inside the baseline more boldly, unleashing down-the-line backhands to shift the tactical tide.
BREATHTAKING 💪
Jess Pegula battles back from a set down against Sabalenka to win the deciding tiebreak 7-2. An absolute classic in Wuhan!
#WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/bEXfnfZKnC— wta (@WTA) October 11, 2025
Clutch surges in the decider
The final set tested raw nerve, with Pegula trailing 2-5 before reeling off four straight games, her crosscourt returns exploiting second serves to break three times in the frame alone—for seven total, the second-most against Sabalenka this season behind Coco Gauff’s nine at Roland Garros. At 5-6, two match points arrived, but in a five-deuce 12th game, Pegula’s four double faults—all her match total, including on the opportunities—forced a tiebreak after Sabalenka clawed back. There, composure prevailed as the American dominated 7-2, her precise angles sealing the upset amid the roaring stands.
This breakthrough not only ended the Belarusian’s Wuhan fortress but also etched Pegula’s growth, transforming prior vulnerabilities into a psychological edge on these hard courts where low bounces reward her flatter strokes.
All-American final awaits
Advancing to face No. 3 seed Gauff in Sunday’s championship, Pegula eyes her fourth WTA 1000 title and first of the season, plus a fourth singles trophy overall. The matchup promises fireworks on the hard courts, where both Americans excel in aggressive returns and quick adjustments, building on Pegula’s streak-snapping resilience. As the tournament pulses forward, her journey from grueling Asian epics to this pivotal scalp signals a player primed to challenge the elite under pressure.
