Sabalenka Extends Unbeaten Run at Wuhan Open as Swiatek, Gauff Secure Quarterfinal Spots

Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive performance at the Wuhan Open, advancing to the quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory over Liudmila Samsonova. The top-ranked player extended her winning streak at the Wuhan tournament to 19 consecutive matches, a run that includes championship titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024.

Sabalenka prevailed with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 result, demonstrating her consistent form on hard courts. Her next challenge will be against Elena Rybakina, the tournament's eighth seed, who moved forward by defeating Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-4. Rybakina remains in contention for a place at the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, making their upcoming match a pivotal encounter.

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek, ranked second in the world, also advanced to the last eight after overcoming Belinda Bencic in two sets, 7-6(2), 6-4. Swiatek's tactical baseline play proved effective against Bencic, who had previously claimed an Olympic gold medal. The Polish star improved her head-to-head record against Bencic, continuing her strong run following a semifinal finish at Wimbledon earlier in the year.

Swiatek's next opponent will be Jasmine Paolini, who progressed after Clara Tauson retired from their fourth-round match due to physical discomfort. Tauson was trailing when she withdrew, allowing Paolini to secure her spot in the quarterfinals.

In another key match, Coco Gauff, the third seed, secured a place in the quarterfinals by defeating Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-2. Gauff, who recently reached the semifinals at the China Open, displayed confident serving and aggressive returns to control the match from the outset. She is set to face Laura Siegemund in the next round.

Jessica Pegula also reached the quarterfinals after a hard-fought three-set win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, finishing 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. Pegula rallied from an early break in the deciding set, leveling the score and then closing out the match by winning four of the last five games. This victory marked Pegula's sixth consecutive three-set match, highlighting her resilience and competitive edge in tightly contested encounters.

The tournament in Wuhan continues to showcase high-caliber tennis as the world's top women's players compete for ranking points and the opportunity to qualify for the prestigious WTA Finals event. As the competition progresses, matchups between top seeds and emerging talents promise further excitement and closely contested battles.

With Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, and Pegula all advancing, the quarterfinals are set to deliver compelling matchups, with each player aiming to strengthen their position on the global stage and build momentum for the season's final events.