Aryna Sabalenka is simply unable to lose in Wuhan. Friday saw the world No. 1 extend her unbeaten streak in Wuhan Open to 20 matches, beating eight seed Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-3, which saw her play the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament at the event.
The Chinese city has become a happy hunting ground of the US Open champion as she has already won the Wuhan trophy in 2018, 2019, and during her return last year. The most recent victory she won, and it was in an hour and 25 minutes, had three service breaks and a strong finish as she waved and waked kisses to the sweaty crowd below.
It is the 11th semifinal of the season in which Sabalenka appears, as she yet faces sixth-seen Jessica Pegula. Pegula was having a seven consecutive three-set match earlier in the day, having come back an entire set behind to defeat Katerina Siniakova 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. Ekaterina Alexandrova and Hailey Baptiste had been defeated by the American previously in the tournament.
In the meantime, Coco Gauff remained on top of her performance in China, winning again. The third seed sailed over Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-0 to reserve her place in a second semifinal. Gauff, who lost to Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals of the China Open last week will face off either No. 2-ranked Iga Swiatek or Jasmine Paolini.
Sabalenka and Gauff are both in fine form, giving the people of Wuhan a potential blockbuster final.
Also Read: Amanda Anisimova wins the China Open to capture her second 1000 WTA title
Penn State Turns the Heat Up After Painful Loss to UCLA