Unstoppable Aryna Sabalenka Powers Her Way Into Wuhan Semi-Finals

Unstoppable Aryna Sabalenka Powers Into Wuhan Semi-Finals After Defeating Elena Rybakina

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her phenomenal 2025 season with yet another commanding display, overpowering Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Wuhan Open on Friday. With this victory, Sabalenka advanced to her 11th semi-final of the year, extending her flawless record at the Wuhan tournament to an impressive 20-0.

In a matchup between two of the game’s biggest hitters, Sabalenka once again showed why she’s the dominant force on the WTA Tour. The defending champion handled the heat and the pressure with trademark aggression and confidence, dictating play from start to finish. The Belarusian broke Rybakina’s serve in the eighth game of the first set, sealing it 6-3 after 43 minutes of power-packed tennis under the sweltering 30°C Wuhan sun.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Sabalenka’s all-court dominance shone through as she raced ahead to a 4-1 lead with two early breaks of serve. Though Rybakina briefly fought back by reclaiming one break, Sabalenka’s composure and consistency proved unshakable. With a final forehand winner that drew cheers from the crowd, she booked her place in the semi-finals and stretched her current winning streak to 10 consecutive matches.

Now standing between Sabalenka and another final is Jessica Pegula, who battled past Katerina Siniakova in a gritty three-set encounter, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. The victory marked Pegula’s 50th win of the season and her third straight semi-final appearance, following deep runs in Beijing and at the US Open.

Sabalenka, reflecting on her win, praised her long-time rival and friend:

“Elena is a great player, a really nice person, and always tough to play against,” Sabalenka said. “We’ve had so many big matches over the years — every time it’s a real battle. She always pushes me to my limits. I’m super happy with how I performed today.”

For Rybakina, the loss puts a dent in her bid to qualify for the WTA Finals, but the Kazakh star remains within striking distance thanks to her consistent results throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Pegula — who has played seven three-set matches in just 16 days — joked about her remarkable endurance after Friday’s win:

“I guess I’m in really good shape,” she laughed. “I definitely don’t think I need to play any more matches or work on fitness after this. Of course, I wish some of them were easier, but if I win every match for the rest of my life in three sets, I’ll take it.”

As Sabalenka prepares to face Pegula in the semi-finals, fans can expect another clash of power, precision, and determination. Both players have been in outstanding form, and with Sabalenka’s unbroken record in Wuhan on the line, Saturday’s showdown promises to be one of the most electrifying matches of the tournament.

With her trademark roar, relentless energy, and unmatched intensity, Aryna Sabalenka continues to prove why she’s the queen of consistency in women’s tennis — and she’s showing no signs of slowing down.