Aryna Sabalenka etched her name in tennis history on Sunday as she claimed her third consecutive Wuhan Open title with a gritty 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 victory over China’s Zheng Qinwen in a high-octane final. The win cements Sabalenka’s dominance at the tournament, making her the first player to win the Wuhan Open three times and extending her undefeated streak at the event to 17 matches.
The final between the 26-year-old Belarusian and Zheng, the reigning Olympic gold medallist and the first Chinese player to reach a WTA 1000 final, was a rematch of this year’s Australian Open final. Sabalenka had triumphed on that occasion as well, and she continued her winning form in Wuhan to claim her fourth singles title of the year.
In what has become a memorable rivalry, Zheng pushed Sabalenka to her limits, taking the match to a third set and delivering a performance that thrilled the local crowd. Yet, it was Sabalenka’s determination, power, and ability to stay composed under pressure that saw her come out on top.
The match opened with Sabalenka asserting her dominance early. The world No. 2, known for her powerful baseline play and aggressive serving, took the first set 6-3 in just 38 minutes. Her forceful groundstrokes overwhelmed Zheng, who struggled to find her rhythm against the relentless onslaught. Sabalenka appeared in total control, seemingly set for another straight-sets victory.
However, Zheng, buoyed by the support of her home crowd, found her footing in the second set. The 21-year-old Chinese star displayed the resilience and fighting spirit that have characterized her rise up the rankings. After trailing 4-5, Zheng mounted a spirited comeback, breaking Sabalenka’s serve and taking the second set 7-5 to force a decider.
The third set was a battle of nerves. Sabalenka raced to a 3-0 lead, capitalizing on Zheng’s errors and putting herself within sight of the title. Yet Zheng refused to go down without a fight, pulling two games back to narrow the gap. But Sabalenka broke Zheng again to take a 5-2 lead, putting her on the brink of victory.
Zheng responded by breaking Sabalenka to love, raising hopes of an improbable comeback. However, Sabalenka, known for her mental toughness in big moments, regrouped to earn three championship points on Zheng’s serve. On her third attempt, the Belarusian finally sealed the match, clinching her 17th career title in front of an electrified crowd.
“It sounds crazy,” Sabalenka said during the post-match interview. “This place definitely feels like home. I’m pretty sure we are going to play many more finals against one another.”
Despite the loss, Zheng Qinwen can hold her head high. The 21-year-old made history as the first Chinese player to reach a WTA 1000 final, and her performance against Sabalenka proved she can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. Her Olympic gold medal in Paris earlier this year and her rise to prominence in 2024 have solidified her status as a future Grand Slam contender.
“I did my best today, but Aryna was just too strong,” Zheng said after the match. “Next time I will be better, and I know we will meet again soon.”
Zheng’s road to the final was nothing short of impressive, defeating a number of top players on her way to the championship match. Though she has now lost all four encounters against Sabalenka, the young Chinese star continues to make strides and is expected to be a major force on the WTA tour in the coming years.
The victory in Wuhan adds to what has been a phenomenal season for Aryna Sabalenka. Earlier this year, she captured her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and followed it up with a third at the US Open. She has appeared in seven singles finals in 2024, a testament to her consistency and ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes matches.
In Wuhan, Sabalenka broke Petra Kvitova’s record for the most consecutive wins at the tournament, further solidifying her legacy at the event. “It’s been an amazing year for me,” Sabalenka reflected. “To win here again, in front of such an incredible crowd, is something really special.”
With her power-packed game, fierce determination, and growing mental resilience, Sabalenka has firmly established herself as one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis. As the world No. 2, she is now within striking distance of reclaiming the top spot in the rankings, and with the season-ending WTA Finals looming, Sabalenka looks poised to finish 2024 on a high.
As Sabalenka celebrates yet another milestone in her already illustrious career, she remains focused on the challenges ahead. With Zheng showing signs of becoming a long-term rival, the tennis world can look forward to more thrilling encounters between the two.
For Zheng, her remarkable run in Wuhan signals the beginning of a promising journey at the top of women’s tennis. As she continues to develop her game and gain experience, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how far the young Chinese star can go.
For now, though, it’s Aryna Sabalenka who reigns supreme in Wuhan, as she continues to carve out her legacy as one of the most formidable players of her generation.
