Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff have both advanced to the third round of the Wuhan Open, showcasing impressive performances on the court.
Pegula Overcomes Baptiste
In a hard-fought match, sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula defeated fellow American Hailey Baptiste. Pegula won with scores of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6), securing her victory on the seventh match point. Despite being broken twice while serving, she managed to edge out Baptiste in a tense tiebreaker.
Next Challenge for Pegula
Pegula will next face ninth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who advanced past Ann Li with a score of 7-6 (5), 6-2. This matchup promises to be competitive as both players look to advance further in the tournament.
Coco Gauff’s Dominant Performance
Third-seeded Coco Gauff had a swift victory against Moyuka Uchijima, winning 6-1, 6-0 in just 51 minutes. Gauff, coming off a semifinal loss at the China Open, demonstrated her readiness as she aims to progress in Wuhan.
Notable Upsets in the Tournament
- No. 11 Naomi Osaka was surprised by unseeded Linda Noskova, losing 7-6 (2), 6-3.
- Noskova will face either Jaqueline Cristian or Elena Rybakina in her next match.
- No. 16 Liudmila Samsonova defeated former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Upcoming Matches
In the third round, Samsonova will take on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. Sabalenka remains undefeated in Wuhan with an 18-0 record, previously winning titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024.
Sabalenka’s Road to Recovery
After taking a break following her second consecutive win at the US Open, Sabalenka worried about regaining her rhythm. However, she expressed satisfaction with her performance, particularly saying, “I’m really glad that in the second set I found my game.”
Withdrawals Due to Conditions
The heat and humidity have affected players, with Karolina Muchova withdrawing during her match against Magdalena Frech while trailing 7-6 (1), 4-1.
The progressing tournament promises more exciting matches as Pegula and Gauff look to maintain their momentum at the Wuhan Open.
