Published: October 9, 2025, 21:45 EDT

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka extended her remarkable unbeaten run at the Wuhan Open to 19 matches with a straight-sets victory over Liudmila Samsonova, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, American Jessica Pegula fought through another three-set battle to join her in the final eight of the WTA 1000 tournament.

Sabalenka Maintains Perfect Record in Wuhan

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka’s strong form in China continued as she defeated Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday, marking her 19th consecutive win at the Wuhan Open.

The Belarusian star, who claimed titles at the event in 2018, 2019, and 2024, has yet to lose a match in the tournament since making her debut seven years ago. Her commanding performance reaffirmed her dominance on hard courts, following her U.S. Open triumph earlier this season.

Sabalenka broke Samsonova early in both sets, capitalizing on her powerful serve and baseline aggression to control the match from start to finish. The win secured her passage into the quarterfinals as she continues to pursue a fourth Wuhan Open title.

Pegula Battles Through Another Grueling Three-Setter

In another tightly contested match, sixth seed Jessica Pegula overcame Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to secure her place in the last eight.

The American rallied from an early service break in the deciding set, leveling the score at 2-2 before taking control by winning four of the final five games. Pegula’s determination carried her through what has been a physically demanding run — Thursday’s match marked her sixth consecutive three-set encounter.

“I can’t remember the last time I played two sets,” Pegula said after the win. “I’ve been competing really hard against top players, and today’s conditions with the roof closed made things different. It took a bit to adjust, but I’m proud of how I handled it.”

Momentum Shifts Following China Open Semifinal Loss

Pegula entered the Wuhan Open seeking redemption after falling in the semifinals of the China Open last week to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova. Despite the quick turnaround and heavy workload, the American has shown resilience, winning five of her last six three-set matches.

Her victory over No. 9 Alexandrova came just one day after surviving a tense second-round clash with compatriot Hailey Baptiste, where she needed seven match points to close out the contest.

Pegula’s form suggests growing confidence ahead of a potential semifinal showdown with one of the tour’s top three players, depending on the upcoming results in the quarterfinal round.

Other Top Seeds Prepare for Night Matches

Later on Thursday, second-ranked Iga Swiatek was scheduled to face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, while world No. 3 Coco Gauff was set to meet China’s Zhang Shuai. Gauff is looking to rebound after her semifinal loss to Anisimova at the China Open last week.

With several top players still in contention, the Wuhan Open continues to serve as a crucial late-season test ahead of the WTA Finals. The tournament, a WTA 1000-level event, remains one of the key stops on the Asian swing of the women’s tour.

Sabalenka’s Winning Legacy at Wuhan

Sabalenka’s consistency at the Wuhan Open has become one of the standout storylines on the WTA Tour. Her victories across multiple editions highlight her adaptability and mental strength — traits that have helped her rise to and maintain the world No. 1 ranking.

Her aggressive playing style and improved serve have been key weapons, allowing her to dictate points early and pressure opponents into errors. With her confidence high and history on her side, Sabalenka remains the favorite to capture yet another Wuhan crown.

Looking Ahead: Quarterfinal Matchups to Watch

As the tournament moves into its final stages, Sabalenka and Pegula remain strong title contenders amid a field stacked with top-tier talent. Swiatek, Gauff, and Bencic all stand as potential threats, setting up possible high-stakes clashes that could shape momentum heading into the WTA Finals.

Fans and analysts alike are closely watching whether Sabalenka can extend her Wuhan winning streak to an extraordinary 20 matches — a feat that would further cement her dominance during one of her best seasons to date.

Source: AP News – Sabalenka’s Wuhan winning streak reaches 19 matches, Pegula also advances

The post Aryna Sabalenka Extends Wuhan Open Winning Streak to 19 Matches as Pegula Joins Quarterfinals appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Belinda Bencic secured one of the most meaningful victories of her career on Saturday—not just for her performance on the court, but for the emotional moment that followed. Winning the Abu Dhabi Open became extra special as she was cheered on by her husband and nine-month-old daughter, Bella.

A Victory Beyond Tennis

Bencic, a 2021 Olympic gold medalist and former world No. 4, triumphed in a hard-fought 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 win against American Ashlyn Krueger. It marked her ninth WTA title and her first as a mother—making her the first mom to win a WTA title since Elina Svitolina in May 2023.

However, the highlight wasn’t just lifting the trophy—it was sharing the moment with her daughter.

“It meant the world to me,” Bencic told CNN’s Patrick Snell. “I worked really hard to be here, and it’s a mini dream come true that she was with me to see this.”

Comeback with a Purpose

Bencic had a tough start, dropping the first set, but responded with aggressive tennis, breaking Krueger’s serve five times in the next two sets. After two hours and 23 minutes, she sealed the win and brought Bella onto the court for the trophy ceremony.

“It was such a special moment,” she said. “In the third set, my husband and Bella were cheering from courtside, and I felt an extra boost of energy.”

This tournament was only her fourth since giving birth in April 2023. Under the protected ranking system, she has been able to compete based on her pre-maternity ranking. Currently ranked No. 157, she is now the third-lowest-ranked player ever to win a WTA 500 event.

A Grueling Journey Back

Despite her impressive return, Bencic admitted that the road back was anything but easy.

“My first run after giving birth—maybe eight or 10 weeks later—was crazy,” she recalled. “I couldn’t run. I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is going to be tough.’”

But persistence paid off. “Slowly, I built back up. Then suddenly, muscle memory kicked in, and my body was like, ‘Okay, I know what we’re doing now.’ From then on, it got smoother.”

Thriving as a Tennis Mom

Bencic now joins an inspiring group of mothers competing at the highest level, including Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Angelique Kerber.

Balancing motherhood and professional tennis has been made easier with the support of her husband, Martin Hromkovič—who is also her fitness coach. Traveling as a family is a new adventure, with their next stop in Dubai, followed by a series of tournaments in the U.S.

“You can’t describe the love you feel until you have children,” Bencic shared. “We’re very blessed. Bella is a happy baby—she doesn’t cry much, and right now, it’s easy to travel with her.”

A New Perspective on Tennis

Once ranked as low as No. 1,213 in late 2023, Bencic’s Abu Dhabi title is set to propel her back into the top 100.

More than just climbing the rankings, she now approaches tennis with a fresh mindset.

“A bad day at the office stays on the court,” she said. “When I’m off the court, I have so many other things to focus on. If I lose, it’s not terrible—we just have a nice day together as a family.”

With her talent, resilience, and support system, Bencic is proving that motherhood and elite tennis can go hand in hand—and she’s just getting started.

Source

The post Belinda Bencic Wins First Title as a Mom: A Dream Come True appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.