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

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Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala’s remarkable journey at this year’s Miami Open has come to a bittersweet end after she was narrowly defeated by US star Jessica Pegula in the semifinals on Thursday. Despite a valiant effort, the 19-year-old’s hopes of reaching her first-ever WTA final were dashed in a thrilling three-set battle, with Pegula emerging victorious 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3.

Eala, who entered the tournament ranked No. 140 in the world, had already made history with her stunning performances, knocking out Grand Slam champions such as Iga Świątek, Jelena Ostapenko, and Madison Keys. Her path to the semifinals was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing her immense potential on the global stage.

While her dream run was cut short, Eala’s smile and the applause from the crowd spoke volumes about the respect she had earned throughout the tournament. Reflecting on her journey, she told BBC Sport, “To have a week like this, the stars need to align and they did this week. Hopefully, I can keep that up. That is my goal now — to keep this up.”

Eala, a rising star in tennis, made a splash in 2022 when she won the US Open girls’ singles title. She also claimed the girls’ doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open. These achievements catapulted her to stardom in the Philippines, and she later graced the cover of Vogue Philippines.

Now, three years later, it’s clear that Eala has found her footing on the senior tour. Her historic semifinal appearance at the Miami Open makes her the first Filipina to reach this stage in the WTA event, and she is poised to break into the top 100 of the world rankings for the first time.

Despite her loss, Pegula, who will face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, had nothing but praise for Eala. “She’s a really good tennis player. She goes for her shots, takes the ball early, and competes really well,” Pegula said. “She’s beaten a lot of top players this week, and we’re definitely going to see more of her.”

Pegula, who is currently ranked No. 4, praised Eala’s game, adding, “I don’t think she needs me to tell her she’s a great player, but we’ll definitely be seeing more of her in the future.”

In the other semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the final in dominant fashion, cruising past Italy’s Jasmina Paolini 6-2, 6-2. The Belarusian world No. 1 was pleased with her performance, calling it “one of the best matches of the season so far.” Sabalenka, who has yet to win the Miami Open, was in top form, hitting 31 winners and expressing how everything felt “smooth” during the match.

With the stage now set, the Miami Open final will take place on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, promising to be a thrilling showdown between two of the tour’s biggest stars. As for Eala, her incredible run in Miami has not only earned her international recognition but also cemented her place as one of the most exciting young players to watch in the years to come.

Source: CNN – Filipina teenager Alexandra Eala’s dream run at Miami Open ends with narrow defeat to Jessica Pegula

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