Wuhan Open: Sabalenka wins third straight title, Polish and Italian players make quarterfinals

The WTA 1000 tournament concluded in Wuhan, China, on October 13.

Winner. Aryna Sabalenka, competing under a neutral flag, defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng in the final with a score of 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Sabalenka faced a tough challenge in the second set but demonstrated confidence in the first and third sets, securing her third consecutive title. Despite the disruptions caused by the Covid pause, the Belarusian player has proven her class once again.

Performance of European players. European players participating in the Tennis Europe race, excluding those from Russia and Belarus, did not have their best tournament. Two Polish players, Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette, reached the quarterfinals. Frech eventually lost to Sabalenka, while Linette was defeated by Coco Gauff. Italian player Jasmine Paolini also made it to the quarterfinals but was beaten by eventual finalist Qinwen Zheng.

WTA rankings update. Iga Swiatek remains the WTA world No. 1, but Sabalenka’s victory at the Wuhan Open has brought her closer to the Polish star. Magdalena Frech climbed three spots to reach 24th place, and Magda Linette improved her ranking by five positions, moving up to 40th. Jasmine Paolini retained her sixth-place position in the rankings after the tournament.

Cover photo: Pixabay