Aryna Sabalenka battled past Rebecca Sramkova 4-6 6-3 6-2 to reach the third round of the Wuhan Open.
Sabalenka was playing her first match since winning the US Open last month and looked far from her best early on as Sramkova came out flying only to be overpowered by the four-time Grand Slam champion, who is unbeaten in 18 Wuhan Open matches.
She will face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova in the next round on Thursday morning, live on Sky Sports Tennis.
“Rebecca played incredible tennis, especially in the first set. There wasn’t much I could do,” said Sabalenka.
“I knew after my little break [from tennis in the last month], it would not be easy to get back into my rhythm but I’m really glad in the second set I found my game and I stepped in and played really great.
“I’m super happy to be back. I’ve won a lot of tournaments in China. It feels like home in this stadium and I really hope I can go all the way.”
Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning US Open champion
Both players failed to hold their first service games before Sramkova broke again in the third game, this time proving decisive, with Sabalenka’s rustiness evident.
The Slovakian made few errors to not allow Sabalenka back into the first set, which she wrapped up with a strong love hold in 35 minutes.
Sabalenka responded by increasing her aggression to break in the fourth game of the second set then saved four break points in a long seventh game which dented Sramkova’s confidence.
After clinching the second set, Sabalenka broke twice in the deciding set as she continued to combine power and accuracy to overcome her early scare and remain on track for a fourth straight Wuhan Open title.
Gauff, Pegula progress to third round
Coco Gauff comes into Wuhan after losing last week in the semi-finals to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova at the China Open and had a comfortable opening win on Wednesday.
World No 3 Gauff thrashed Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima 6-1 6-0 in just 51 minutes to set up a meeting with Chinese wild card Zhang Shuai.
Gauff’s compatriot Jessica Pegula was twice broken while serving for the match in the third set but recovered to edge Hailey Baptiste in a tight deciding tie-break Wednesday and advance at the Wuhan Open.
Highlights of the Wuhan Open Round of 32 match between Moyuka Uchijima and Coco Gauff
Sixth-seeded Pegula beat her fellow American 6-4 4-6 7-6 (8-6) on her seventh match point to reach the third round where she will play ninth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who beat American Ann Li 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.
Liudmila Samsonova rallied to beat 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, and qualifier Katerina Siniakova beat Maya Joint 6-3, 6-1.
Twelfth seed Karolina Muchova became the latest player to succumb to the heat and humidity, the Czech calling it a day trailing Magdalena Frech 7-6 (7-1) 4-1.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tour, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Ja’Marr Chase Questionable for Bengals vs. Packers With Illness
After logging two full practices, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's Week 6 status is now in question after the All-Pro missed Friday's session.Chase is listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Green Bay Packers due to an undisclosed illness, according Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. While it remains to be seen if Chase takes the field, the 25-year-old WR's status will certainly be worth monitoring entering the weekend. Should he miss the game, Cincinnati won't have the opportunity to see how he meshes with new acquisition, quarterback Joe Flacco.Instead, Flacco, acquired from the Browns on Tuesday, will see his quick transition into Cincy's QB1 as a chance to find chemistry with wideout Tee Higgins, running back Chase Brown and the rest of his new offense.Chase leads the team after five games in receptions and targets (32/45), receiving […]
Tigers vs. Mariners Live Updates, Score: Seattle Strikes First
Conventional wisdom goes that the best two words in sports are "Game 7." But, in this case, "Game 5" will have to suffice. Detroit won Game 1 of the series on the road, but Seattle responded by winning each of the next two games. The Tigers then came to life in Game 4, forcing a Game 5 back in Seattle. The winner of Game 5, which will take place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, plays the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series as the road team. <!-->Here are the top moments from Game 5. --> <!--> [-->8:42p ET Naylor's Baserunning Gives Mariners Lead Live Coverage for this began on 9:05p ET
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 predictions, start time, card, matches, expert picks, date for event in Australia
On Saturday, WWE Crown Jewel takes place outside Saudi Arabia for the first time since the event's inception. This year's event will be held in Perth, Australia, though it will operate under the same format as last year's Crown Jewel.That means two headline matches featuring WWE's top champions. On the men's side, undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes will take on world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins. For the women, world champion Iyo Sky will face WWE women's champion Tiffany Stratton. The winners of those matches will win the ceremonial Crown Jewel championship, taking home a ring for their victory.In addition, John Cena returns for one of his final appearances when he takes on AJ Styles as the two revisit one of the promotion's top rivalries of the 2010s. Cena has been out of action since Wrestlepalooza and only has a handful […]
‘The best team in baseball’ – Alex Rodriguez, ‘MLB on FOX’ crew react to Dodgers advancing to NLCS
Major League Baseball Video Details The MLB on FOX crew react to the Los Angeles Dodgers advancing to the NLCS after a dramatic win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Alex Rodriguez praises the Dodgers as “the best team in baseball” while the crew breaks down what makes them so dominant this postseason. 1 HOUR AGO・Major League Baseball・3:47
Fora há quase um mês por lesão, Ganso diz que voltará aos treinos do Fluminense nesta segunda-feira
— Segunda-feira a gente já volta a treinar normalmente. Se possível, né? Tem jogo na quinta-feira, depois o jogo contra o Vasco (na segunda). Enfim... A gente já vai estar pronto para a competição — falou Ganso, ao Sportv. Fora dos gramados há quase um mês, o meia sofreu uma lesão na panturrilha esquerda na derrota por 1 a 0 para o Corinthians, no dia 13 de setembro, pelo Brasileiro. Segundo o clube, o prazo de recuperação era de 4 a 6 semanas.Por conta disso, o camisa 10 ainda não participou dos treinos e jogos sob o comando de Zubeldía, que chegou há cerca de duas semanas após o pedido de demissão de Renato Gaúcho.
Cody Bellinger to opt out of contract, adding another item to Yankees’ offseason checklist
Cody Bellinger is officially hitting free agency again, leaving the New York Yankees with a hole to fill in their outfield.Bellinger plans to opt out of the final season of his deal according to MLB.com, which would have paid him $25 million. The decision comes with a $5 million buyout from the Yankees, which will be partially covered by his former team, the Chicago Cubs.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe deal was originally a three-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Cubs after his first year in Chicago. It contained opt-outs after both the first and second seasons, with a clear aim to re-enter free agency after a disappointing first foray. This time, he's hitting the free market after a strong year with the Yankees, who acquired him in a trade with the Cubs last offseason.Cody Bellinger is looking for his big pay day. […]
Related
Ja’Marr Chase Questionable for Bengals vs. Packers With Illness
After logging two full practices, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's Week 6 status is now in question after the All-Pro missed Friday's session.Chase is listed as questionable for Sunday's road game against the Green Bay Packers due to an undisclosed illness, according Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. While it remains to be seen if Chase takes the field, the 25-year-old WR's status will certainly be worth monitoring entering the weekend. Should he miss the game, Cincinnati won't have the opportunity to see how he meshes with new acquisition, quarterback Joe Flacco.Instead, Flacco, acquired from the Browns on Tuesday, will see his quick transition into Cincy's QB1 as a chance to find chemistry with wideout Tee Higgins, running back Chase Brown and the rest of his new offense.Chase leads the team after five games in receptions and targets (32/45), receiving […]
Tigers vs. Mariners Live Updates, Score: Seattle Strikes First
Conventional wisdom goes that the best two words in sports are "Game 7." But, in this case, "Game 5" will have to suffice. Detroit won Game 1 of the series on the road, but Seattle responded by winning each of the next two games. The Tigers then came to life in Game 4, forcing a Game 5 back in Seattle. The winner of Game 5, which will take place at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, plays the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Championship Series as the road team. <!-->Here are the top moments from Game 5. --> <!--> [-->8:42p ET Naylor's Baserunning Gives Mariners Lead Live Coverage for this began on 9:05p ET
WWE Crown Jewel 2025 predictions, start time, card, matches, expert picks, date for event in Australia
On Saturday, WWE Crown Jewel takes place outside Saudi Arabia for the first time since the event's inception. This year's event will be held in Perth, Australia, though it will operate under the same format as last year's Crown Jewel.That means two headline matches featuring WWE's top champions. On the men's side, undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes will take on world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins. For the women, world champion Iyo Sky will face WWE women's champion Tiffany Stratton. The winners of those matches will win the ceremonial Crown Jewel championship, taking home a ring for their victory.In addition, John Cena returns for one of his final appearances when he takes on AJ Styles as the two revisit one of the promotion's top rivalries of the 2010s. Cena has been out of action since Wrestlepalooza and only has a handful […]
‘The best team in baseball’ – Alex Rodriguez, ‘MLB on FOX’ crew react to Dodgers advancing to NLCS
Major League Baseball Video Details The MLB on FOX crew react to the Los Angeles Dodgers advancing to the NLCS after a dramatic win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Alex Rodriguez praises the Dodgers as “the best team in baseball” while the crew breaks down what makes them so dominant this postseason. 1 HOUR AGO・Major League Baseball・3:47
Fora há quase um mês por lesão, Ganso diz que voltará aos treinos do Fluminense nesta segunda-feira
— Segunda-feira a gente já volta a treinar normalmente. Se possível, né? Tem jogo na quinta-feira, depois o jogo contra o Vasco (na segunda). Enfim... A gente já vai estar pronto para a competição — falou Ganso, ao Sportv. Fora dos gramados há quase um mês, o meia sofreu uma lesão na panturrilha esquerda na derrota por 1 a 0 para o Corinthians, no dia 13 de setembro, pelo Brasileiro. Segundo o clube, o prazo de recuperação era de 4 a 6 semanas.Por conta disso, o camisa 10 ainda não participou dos treinos e jogos sob o comando de Zubeldía, que chegou há cerca de duas semanas após o pedido de demissão de Renato Gaúcho.
Cody Bellinger to opt out of contract, adding another item to Yankees’ offseason checklist
Cody Bellinger is officially hitting free agency again, leaving the New York Yankees with a hole to fill in their outfield.Bellinger plans to opt out of the final season of his deal according to MLB.com, which would have paid him $25 million. The decision comes with a $5 million buyout from the Yankees, which will be partially covered by his former team, the Chicago Cubs.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe deal was originally a three-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Cubs after his first year in Chicago. It contained opt-outs after both the first and second seasons, with a clear aim to re-enter free agency after a disappointing first foray. This time, he's hitting the free market after a strong year with the Yankees, who acquired him in a trade with the Cubs last offseason.Cody Bellinger is looking for his big pay day. […]
Be the first to leave a comment