World number one Aryna Sabalenka advanced to her 11th semi-final of 2025 at the Wuhan Open on Friday, defeating Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-3, setting up a clash with Jessica Pegula. Third-seeded Coco Gauff also progressed to the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Laura Siegemund.Sabalenka, the defending champion and US Open winner, maintained her perfect record at the tournament, extending her winning streak to 20-0 in Wuhan appearances.The victory improved Sabalenka’s head-to-head record against Kazakhstan’s Rybakina to 8-5, dealing a blow to Rybakina’s WTA Finals qualification hopes.“Elena is a great player, very nice girl and always tough to play against. We have a really huge history against each other, always great battles. She always pushes me to the limit to get the win. I’m super happy with the performance today,” said Sabalenka.In temperatures above 30C, Sabalenka secured a crucial break in the eighth game to take the first set in 43 minutes. She continued her dominance in the second set, breaking twice to build a 4-1 lead.
Sixth-seeded Pegula reached her third consecutive semi-final by defeating Katerina Siniakova 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, marking her 50th win of the season.“I guess I’m in really good shape. I definitely don’t think I need to play any more matches or work on any physical stuff because I’ve been able to battle through these matches and play very well,” Pegula stated.“Obviously I wish maybe it was more straightforward for my mental and physical state. But if I win every match for the rest of my life in three sets I think I’ll be pretty happy,” she added.Pegula played with tape on her left thigh but assured it was merely precautionary, citing minor discomfort from multiple extended matches.The 21-year-old Gauff continued her impressive run, having lost only nine games throughout three rounds in Wuhan.“I think I had chances in the first set to even have a greater lead, so I think I just capitalised more on those chances in the second set,” said Gauff, who will face either Iga Swiatek or Jasmine Paolini in the semi-finals.Gauff dominated her quarter-final match against Siegemund, converting five of eight break points in an 85-minute victory.Though Rybakina managed to recover one break in the second set against Sabalenka, she couldn’t prevent the world number one from securing her spot in the semi-finals and extending her winning streak to 10 matches.Pegula’s recent form has been particularly noteworthy, with seven consecutive three-set matches in a 16-day period, winning six of them.
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