Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka staged an impressive comeback against Coco Gauff, overcoming a set deficit to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Wuhan Open on Saturday. This victory marks Sabalenka's third trip to the finals in Wuhan, where she previously triumphed in 2018 and 2019, maintaining her flawless record in the tournament at 16-0. She will face either Zheng Qinwen or Wang Xinyu in the final.
Gauff entered the match riding a nine-match winning streak following her recent title in Beijing and displayed exceptional form in the opening set. However, she struggled with her serve, tallying a staggering 21 double faults throughout the semifinal, which lasted two hours and 26 minutes. Despite her strong start, Gauff's serving woes ultimately allowed Sabalenka to capitalize and regain control of the match.
After an uncharacteristically shaky start, where she fell behind 2-4 in the second set, Sabalenka fought hard to turn the tide. The second set was fiercely contested, with six of the first eight games going against serve. After 78 minutes of play, Sabalenka finally took the lead at 5-4, putting Gauff under pressure as her opponent's serve faltered at crucial moments. Sabalenka seized the opportunity to break Gauff’s serve, leveling the match and forcing a decisive third set.
In the final set, Sabalenka maintained her momentum, winning a grueling third game that featured seven deuces and three break points, giving her a commanding 3-0 lead. Although Gauff fought valiantly to equalize at 4-4, Sabalenka held her ground and ultimately closed out the match, securing a gritty victory. With this win, she has now claimed 19 of her last 20 matches, including titles in Cincinnati and at the US Open, underscoring her strong performance as she heads into the final in Wuhan.
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