Aryna Sabalenka stays perfect in Wuhan with commanding quarterfinal victory

Aryna Sabalenka’s grip on Wuhan tightened even further on Friday as the World No. 1 produced one of her most complete performances of the season, defeating Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-3 to reach the semifinals of the Wuhan Open.

It was the first time Sabalenka had ever beaten Rybakina in straight sets — a notable first in a rivalry that had previously thrived on fine margins and bruising three-set duels.

The Belarusian needed just one hour and 25 minutes to claim her ninth consecutive victory overall, extending her undefeated streak in Wuhan to a remarkable 20 matches.

“We have a really huge history against each other,” Sabalenka said afterward. “Always great battles, always push me to the limit to get the win.”

For once, she didn’t need to go to the limit. What has made Sabalenka so formidable during her Wuhan reign was all on display. It was precision. It was power. And it was a touch of defiance when the match tightened. Yet, it was her poise, not just her power, that defined this win.

Through the opening six games, there was little between the two heavyweights. Each held serve twice under pressure, exchanging blows from the baseline in rallies that showcased both players’ trademark aggression.

At 3-3, 30-30, Rybakina crafted a perfect defensive lob to stay alive in the point and earned a chance to break. But when she sent the ensuing short forehand well long, the opportunity vanished. Sabalenka held, and from there, the tone of the match changed.

That narrow escape triggered a five-game surge from Sabalenka. Her forehand began to fire with unerring accuracy, her returns grew deeper, and Rybakina’s composure faltered.

Unforced errors crept in, and when Sabalenka turned a 40-0 deficit into a break for 4-1 in the second set, it felt like the outcome was all but sealed.

Yet, closing against Rybakina rarely comes easy.

A handful of double faults opened the door late in the second set, allowing the eighth seed to pull one break back and even threaten to level at 4-4. But just as she had done in their previous encounters, Sabalenka summoned control when it mattered most.

Rybakina’s volley on break point drifted into the net, and Sabalenka steadied to finish the job, converting her first match point as Rybakina’s forehand flew long.

The numbers behind Sabalenka’s Wuhan dominance are now bordering on the surreal. Since her debut title here in 2019, she has yet to lose a match in the city. It’s a run spanning four editions and three titles. Every year, she has seemed to rediscover her fiercest form in this arena, and this year is no exception.

Friday’s win also marked her ninth straight victory on tour, continuing the momentum she carried from her second US Open triumph last month. With her trademark intensity channeled into controlled aggression, Sabalenka looks increasingly like a player not merely defending a title, but asserting her era.