Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are set to clash in the semifinals of the Wuhan Open after both players secured impressive victories on Friday. Sabalenka, the top seed, dominated her match against Poland's Magdalena Frech, winning decisively with a score of 6-2, 6-2. This victory marks her 15th consecutive win in Wuhan, where she previously won the tournament in 2018 and 2019.
Gauff, seeded fourth, continued her strong form by defeating Magda Linette, also from Poland, with a score of 6-0, 6-4. This win extends her current winning streak to eight matches, following her triumph at the China Open in Beijing the previous week. The upcoming semifinal will be the eighth encounter between the two players, with Gauff holding a slight edge in their head-to-head record at 4-3. However, Sabalenka won their last meeting in the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year.
In preparation for their match, Sabalenka emphasized the importance of focusing on her own game and footwork. She plans to be aggressive at the net, stating that playing bravely on the slow surface of Wuhan is crucial for finishing points. Drawing from their last encounter, where this strategy proved effective, Sabalenka aims to apply pressure on Gauff throughout the match.
In her quarterfinal match, Sabalenka showcased her powerful play, hitting 42 winners while committing only 14 unforced errors during her 83-minute match against Frech. As the reigning champion of both the Australian Open and the US Open, she seeks not only a third consecutive title in Wuhan but also aims to close the gap on Iga Swiatek in the WTA rankings. With her performance, Sabalenka is set to ascend to the No. 1 position in the Race to the WTA Finals on Monday, although the year-end No. 1 ranking will ultimately be determined at the season finale in Riyadh next month.
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