Aryna Sabalenka has made headlines by securing her 20th consecutive win at the Wuhan tournament. This remarkable achievement places her among an elite group of female players in WTA history.
Historical Context of Consecutive Wins
Since 1990, only three female players have matched this feat in a single WTA-level event. They include:
- Monica Seles at the Australian Open (33-0)
- Steffi Graf in Leipzig (25-0)
- Caroline Wozniacki in New Haven (20-0)
Match Highlights
In her latest match against Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka demonstrated her dominance. She sealed the first set with a steady hold and broke Rybakina’s serve in the second set’s opening game. Despite a few shaky moments during her service, she secured a comfortable victory.
Sabalenka will now face Jessica Pegula, a player with whom she has a favorable record, winning eight out of their ten encounters. When discussing her success and connection with the fans, Sabalenka expressed, “I feel at home every time playing here. Honestly, that’s just crazy,” referring to the support she receives in China.
Pegula’s Road to Victory
In another match, Pegula, the sixth seed, made a strong comeback against Katerina Siniakova. After losing the first set, she recovered to take the second without losing a game and clinched the third set, marking her 50th win of the season. This victory enhances her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals next month.
Gauff’s Performance
Third-seeded Coco Gauff also impressed in her match against Laura Siegemund. Gauff converted five out of eight break points and has dropped only nine games across three rounds in Wuhan. The French Open champion now prepares to face seven-seed Jasmine Paolini.
Paolini’s Remarkable Win
Paolini, ranked eighth worldwide, faced Iga Swiatek, a player she had previously lost to six times. In a stunning turn of events, Paolini won the opening set against Swiatek in just 26 minutes, leading to a memorable victory.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Sabalenka as she continues her pursuit of a place in WTA history while battling strong competitors like Pegula and Gauff.
