A Rusty Start After US Open Glory
Returning to competitive tennis for the first time since her US Open triumph, Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start in Wuhan to defeat Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova in a gritty three-set match. The world number one, fresh off claiming her first Grand Slam title of the year in New York, initially looked out of rhythm and outpaced by Sramkova’s raw power.
Struggling Early, Then Surging Late
Despite dropping the opening set 4-6, Sabalenka found her groove in the second set, displaying the aggression and precision that have become her trademarks. She clinched the second set 6-3 and surged through the final set with commanding dominance to seal a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 comeback victory.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy to find my rhythm after the break, but I’m happy I rediscovered my game in the second set,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Sramkova played unbelievable tennis early on — there wasn’t much I could do.”
The Queen Returns to Her Court
Sabalenka’s win in Wuhan marks another chapter in her strong history at the tournament. She previously lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2019, and again in 2024 after the event resumed following a three-year Covid-induced hiatus. Her familiarity and success in the Chinese city have earned her a collection of affectionate nicknames.
“First, I was called ‘Daughter of China’, then ‘Queen of Fried Rice’, and now even ‘Tiger’ by Zheng Qinwen. It really feels like home here,” Sabalenka smiled.
Facing Pressure, Finding Form
Given a second-round bye, Sabalenka looked unsettled early in the match. Double faults and service inconsistencies gave Sramkova an opening — and she took full advantage, using aggressive baseline shots and a powerful serve to capture the first set.
But as the match wore on, Sabalenka began to turn the tide. She held her nerve through critical break points and turned the second set into a momentum-shifting moment. By the third set, she was in complete control — breaking serve twice and fending off four break points before sealing the win.
Gauff and Pegula Also Advance
Elsewhere in the tournament, Coco Gauff powered into the third round in just 51 minutes, dismantling Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, who managed to win only five points on Gauff’s serve. The American third seed looked sharp and focused as she breezed through the match.
Meanwhile, fellow American and sixth seed Jessica Pegula had a much tougher task. She was pushed to the limit by Hailey Baptiste, eventually winning a marathon 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) after nearly three hours of play. Pegula needed seven match points to finally break through in a thrilling tie-break.
Next up, Pegula faces Ekaterina Alexandrova, while Gauff will meet Shuai Zhang, the world number 142 who shocked Sorana Cirstea in her second-round match.
Heat and Humidity Take Their Toll
The intense heat and humidity in Wuhan have proven to be a challenge for several players. Notably, 12th seed Karolina Muchova was forced to retire mid-match due to physical struggles, trailing 7-6 (7-1), 4-1 against Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
