Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka made an impressive comeback to beat USA’s Coco Gauff at the Wuhan Open tennis tournament on October 12, 2024. Sabalenka, the top-seeded player, won 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the final for the third time and maintain her perfect record of 16-0 in the tournament. The crowd was electric as Sabalenka played a challenging match, coming back from being 2-4 down in the second set. Gauff, who was on a nine-match winning streak, struggled with 21 double-faults during the semi-final that lasted over two hours.
Sabalenka, a former champion in Wuhan in 2018 and 2019, has been on an impressive winning streak, with 19 victories in her last 20 matches. This includes titles in Cincinnati and at the US Open. The atmosphere of the match against Gauff felt like a Grand Slam final due to the intense competition and the support from the crowd. Sabalenka had difficulty controlling her serve and forehand early in the match, but managed to regain her composure and dominate the later sets. Gauff played a nearly flawless first set, but was unable to maintain her momentum as Sabalenka fought back.
The second set was closely contested, with six of the first eight games going against serve. Sabalenka managed to take the lead for the first time in the match and forced a decider with a break of serve. The final set was intense, with Sabalenka taking a lead and holding on despite Gauff’s efforts to level the score. A marathon third game saw Sabalenka win seven consecutive games and secure a 3-0 lead in the final set. Despite Gauff’s determination, Sabalenka held her nerve and closed out the match with a gritty victory.
Overall, Sabalenka’s impressive performance against Gauff showcased her resilience and determination on the court. The crowd support and intense atmosphere made the match feel like a Grand Slam final, with both players giving their all. Sabalenka’s recent success in tournaments leading up to the Wuhan Open final demonstrates her consistency and skill as a top-ranked player. As she awaits Zheng Qinwen or Wang Xinyu in the final, Sabalenka remains a formidable opponent with a strong chance of claiming another title in Wuhan.
