Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka made history on Sunday by becoming the first player to win the Wuhan Open three times. She defeated local favorite Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in a thrilling final. Sabalenka, the top seed, extended her undefeated streak in Wuhan to 17 matches, having previously won the event in 2018 and 2019. This victory marks her fifth title on Chinese soil, setting an Open Era record.
Sabalenka's impressive 2024 season includes two Grand Slam titles and a WTA 1000 victory in Cincinnati. This Wuhan Open triumph is her fourth trophy of the year, achieved from seven finals appearances. At 26, she bolsters her chances of ending the year as the world number one, a position currently held by Iga Swiatek. The battle for the top spot is expected to be intense, with the WTA Finals in Riyadh next month looming.
Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, had never won a set against Sabalenka in their previous three meetings, all of which took place at Grand Slam events over the last 13 months. However, Sunday's final was a different story. Competing in front of a home crowd of 13,000 at the Optic Valley International Tennis Centre, Zheng showcased her resilience. She managed to break Sabalenka's serve for the first time in their rivalry, leveling the second set and forcing a decisive third.
Sabalenka quickly regained control in the final set, racing to a 3-0 lead. Although Zheng fought back, Sabalenka ultimately secured the victory after a grueling 2hr 40min match. Zheng's performance in Wuhan was historic, as she became the first Chinese finalist in the tournament's history. Her strong showing also propelled her from number nine to number seven in the Race to the WTA Finals, enhancing her chances of qualifying for the season-ending championships, a feat last achieved by Li Na in 2013.
