Wuhan, October 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and second seed Jessica Pegula suffered shock defeats at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday, while China’s Guo Hanyu advanced to the round of 16 for the first time at a WTA 1000 tournament.
American Ann Li ended Sabalenka’s bid for a fourth Wuhan Open title, rallying to beat the three-time champion 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a thrilling encounter.
Sabalenka claimed the opening set in 35 minutes before Li fought back to level the match. The Belarusian then trailed 2-5 in the deciding set but saved five match points to hold serve, broke back and fought off two more match points to force a tiebreak.
Li held her nerve in the decisive phase to complete the upset and secure one of the biggest wins of her career.
“On some of those match points I was about to lose my mind. I was about to crash out. In the end, you just have to realise, I didn’t play bad, and she just played really well,” Li said.
She added that her focus was on improving with every match and maintaining a positive mindset, physical intensity and belief in her game.
Pegula, who finished runner-up at Wuhan last year, also bowed out after Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko recovered from a set down to win 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3. Pegula had taken the opening set 6-2 but could not close out the match as Ostapenko mounted her comeback.
China’s Guo produced another determined performance, overcoming American Katie Volynets 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (3) to reach the last 16 at a WTA 1000 event for the first time.
“It was another very tough match today, and the score stayed close,” Guo said, adding that she had tried to give her best until the final point.
Guo will next face fifth seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine. The Chinese player said recovery would be crucial before the next challenge.
Elsewhere, seventh seed Iga Swiatek defeated Magdalena Frech in straight sets, while 10th seed Iva Jovic of the United States beat Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-1. Britain’s Sonay Kartal defeated ninth seed Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-0, 7-5, while Canada’s Leylah Fernandez beat China’s Shi Han 6-3, 6-4.
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