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New Delhi: Jessica Pegula pulled off the biggest upsets of the Wuhan Open, ending Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable 20-match winning streak at the event with a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) victory. The World No. 1 has won the past three editions of the tournament and looked on course for another final before Pegula turned the tables in dramatic fashion.
Sabalenka, as fierce as ever from the baseline, twice broke early in the decider to lead 5-2 and seemed ready to close out another trademark win. But Pegula had other ideas as the 31-year-old American dug deep, broke back twice and reeled off four straight games to force a tiebreak. By then, the tide had completely turned as Pegula held her nerve to dominate the tiebreak 7-2, sealing a memorable comeback after more than two hours of intense tennis.
The loss ends a dominant run of the Belarusina in Wuhan, where she hadn't lost a match since 2018. She had also been on a streak of 19 consecutive tiebreak wins dating back to February but Pegula’s composure under pressure snapped that record too. For the American, it was another chapter in what’s been a gritty Asian swing where she has now played eight straight three-set matches, winning seven of them.
Earlier in the day, Coco Gauff booked her place in the final with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Italy's Jasmine Paolini. The scoreline looked comfortable but both players struggled to hold serve, trading 11 consecutive breaks at one stage before Gauff steadied herself in the closing game.
It wasn’t a flawless performance from the 21-year-old, who faced constant pressure on her serve, hit seven double faults and was broken five times. But the French Open champion’s athleticism and ability to reset after every error kept her in control when it mattered most. With the victory, Gauff reached her first Wuhan Open final and her third WTA 1000 final of the season, adding to runs in Doha and Cincinnati.
Gauff hasn't lifted a title since her triumph at Roland Garros in June but her consistency this year has been impressive. Gauff said afterward she’s just focused on staying present: “I did what I needed to do to get through. I’ve played a few finals this year, so I know what to expect. Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I’m proud of how I’ve competed.”
Sunday's Wuhan Open final will be an all-American showdown between Gauff and Pegula, marking the fourth such final on the WTA Tour this year, the most since 2003. Pegula leads their head-to-head 4-2 but Gauff claimed the most recent meeting at the WTA Finals last season in straight sets. Interestingly, despite being former doubles partners, this will be their first meeting in a WTA singles final.
Pegula will be chasing her fourth career WTA 1000 title and first of 2025 while Gauff will aim to cap her season with another big win. Whoever lifts the trophy one thing is certain that it will mark the end of an era and the start of a new chapter in American women's tennis.
