Sabalenka rallies to extend flawless Wuhan run

Aryna Sabalenka returned to the court at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, her first match since securing a fourth Grand Slam at the US Open. Facing Rebecca Sramkova, the world No. 1 absorbed an early setback, losing the opening set 4-6 before powering through 6-3, 6-1 in the next two. This comeback victory stretched her perfect record in Wuhan to 18-0, a mark that underscores her command in this venue.

Finding groove after major triumph

The psychological weight of recent success hung over Sabalenka as she navigated the humid air of Optics Valley International Tennis Centre. Sramkova, making her Wuhan debut after upsetting Anna Kalinskaya in the first round, disrupted the top seed’s rhythm with aggressive crosscourt forehands that pinned her deep. Yet Sabalenka adjusted by tightening her inside-out forehands, turning longer rallies into decisive one–two combinations that exploited the medium-paced hard courts.

The crowd’s growing roar fueled her shift, as she reduced errors and deepened her groundstrokes to reclaim control from the second set onward. This wasn’t just a tactical reset; it reflected the mental release needed to sustain dominance after New York’s highs. For the tournament’s latest developments, follow the Scores, Draws, and Order of play.

Fortress holds against rising challenger

Wuhan has been Sabalenka’s stronghold since 2018, when she lifted her first WTA 1000 trophy and launched an unbeaten streak now rivaling Caroline Wozniacki’s 20-match run at New Haven from 2008 to 2012. Sramkova arrived with momentum from her 2024 breakout—a title in Hua Hin and finals in Monastir and Jiujiang that vaulted her into the Top 50—but couldn’t sustain it against the three-time champion’s precision. In the decider, Sabalenka’s down-the-line backhands pierced defenses, while her serve held firm, quickening the match’s tempo under the lights.

The Slovak’s flat hitting forced occasional net approaches from Sabalenka, testing her movement on the true-bouncing surface, but the world No. 1’s variety in patterns overwhelmed any resistance. This win highlighted how the venue amplifies her edge, blending familiarity with the quiet intensity of unbroken pursuit. As the final cheers faded, it set the stage for deeper battles in a draw that demands constant adaptation.

Rivalry resumes with familiar edge

Ahead lies a third-round encounter with Liudmila Samsonova, the No. 16 seed who rallied from a set down to edge Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in 1 hour and 56 minutes, securing her first victory over the American in three meetings. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-2, with straight-sets wins in Cincinnati 2024 and Indian Wells 2025 showcasing her ability to neutralize power through crosscourt depth. On these courts, the matchup could turn on her capacity to mix inside-in surprises with baseline control, probing Samsonova’s resilience while the atmosphere builds.

Samsonova’s comeback mirrors the grit that has challenged Sabalenka here before, yet the top seed’s post-US Open focus positions her to harness the crowd’s energy. This clash promises to layer strategy atop history, as Sabalenka navigates the fall swing with her rankings lead in sight. In a season of sustained pressure, it offers a chance to refine her game for the challenges still to come.