Jessica Pegula stuns Sabalenka to set up all-American Wuhan final with Gauff
Jessica Pegula achieved what no other woman has managed on the WTA Tour this season. She toppled Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan.
The sixth seed completed a stunning comeback to end Sabalenka’s 20-match unbeaten streak at the WTA 1000 event, rallying from a 2-5 deficit in the final set to claim a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory.
For much of Saturday’s semifinal, it appeared Sabalenka would extend her dominance.
Serving for the match at 5-3, the world No. 1 came within two points of victory, only for Pegula to mount a relentless fightback. Using a mix of well-timed returns, subtle changes of pace, and deep groundstrokes, Pegula forced Sabalenka into errors and gradually clawed her way back into contention.
The defining moment came in the eleventh game, when Pegula converted a break point after a furious rally, prompting the three-time Wuhan champion to fling her racquet in frustration.
Despite missing a pair of match points in the 12th game, which included one on a double fault, Pegula reset in the tiebreak, opening a 3-1 lead with a disguised backhand drop shot and a deep running forehand that left Sabalenka flat-footed.
From there, she ran to the finish line, completing her third career win over the Belarusian and snapping a four-match losing streak that had seen her fall in Miami and the US Open semis this year.
“I was clearly very nervous trying to serve it out,” Pegula admitted post-match. “Lost my timing, lost my rhythm, trying to go for too much. But I bounced right back in the tiebreak. I’m just really proud of myself.”
Pegula’s triumph was more than a single-match upset; it was a continuation of a remarkable run of resilience. She has now won all four of her Wuhan matches in deciding sets, taking seven of eight three-setters across her last two tournaments.
Saturday also marked a personal milestone. Before this match, Pegula had never beaten a top-10 opponent after dropping the first set, going 0-29 in such encounters, 27 in straight sets. Her ability to navigate these high-pressure scenarios underscores the growth in her game and mental toughness.
The numbers tell part of the story. Pegula broke Sabalenka’s serve seven times, three of which came in the decisive set. She also ended the world No. 1’s streak of 19 consecutive tiebreak wins.
Beyond statistics, though, Pegula displayed strategic intelligence, adapting her tactics to exploit Sabalenka’s vulnerabilities while maintaining composure under repeated match points.
Looking ahead, Pegula will face fellow American and former doubles partner Coco Gauff in Sunday’s final, an all-American matchup that underscores the rising depth of the U.S. women’s game.
“There’s no secrets between us,” Pegula said. “We know each other so well… it just comes down to executing whatever the game plan is, and going out there and battling.”
