Aryna Sabalenka showcased her resilience and determination as she recovered from a precarious position to defeat Coco Gauff in the Wuhan Open semi-finals, securing her spot in the final. The match was a thrilling display of skill and tenacity, with Sabalenka overcoming the odds after finding herself down a set and trailing 4-2 in the second.
Despite her struggles, the world No 2 and recent US Open champion demonstrated her championship pedigree, having previously won the Wuhan Open in 2018 and 2019, extending her remarkable winning streak in this tournament to 16 matches. The Belarusian’s journey towards a potential third consecutive title seemed to be slipping away after Gauff, displaying her impressive form, raced through the first set with a commanding 6-1 scoreline. Gauff’s dominance was highlighted as she held a staggering 5-0 lead within just 19 minutes of play.
However, the tide turned when Gauff’s serving woes began to surface. After initially moving two games away from victory with her early lead in the second set, Gauff’s form faltered dramatically. Throughout the second set, Gauff recorded an astonishing nine double faults, including three in single games on multiple occasions. This untimely collapse allowed Sabalenka to capitalise and claw her way back into the match, ultimately winning the second set 6-4.
In a gripping final set, both players continued to struggle with their serves. Gauff’s issues persisted, complementing her earlier performance in the second set with another nine double faults. Sabalenka took full advantage of these errors, pushing the score forward in her favour. After breaking Gauff to take a lead in the decider, Sabalenka’s steady play and unwavering focus allowed her to maintain control, even as Gauff fought back to draw level at 4-4. Eventually, in the decisive 10th game of the final set, Sabalenka broke Gauff once more, converting her second match point to seal a hard-fought victory with a final score of 6-4 in the third set.
This victory not only leveled Sabalenka’s career head-to-head record against Gauff at 4-4 but also set up an intriguing clash for the final on Sunday, where she will face either Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen or Wang Xinyu. The match thrived on momentum swings and showcased the unpredictable nature of tennis, much like Sabalenka’s previous encounter with Gauff in the semi-finals of the Australian Open earlier that year, where she also emerged triumphant en route to her second consecutive title at that tournament.
With her sights firmly set on another title, Sabalenka continues to prove that she is a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour, persisting through adversity to secure hard-earned victories and maintain her position among the elite players in women’s tennis.
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