World number one Aryna Sabalenka powered into her fourth consecutive Wuhan Open quarter-final on Thursday, revealing that a holiday hit-up with Novak Djokovic in Greece gave her the spark she needed.
The Belarusian, unbeaten in Wuhan with a 19-0 record as she chases a fourth straight title, dismantled Russia’s world No.20 Liudmila Samsonova 6-3, 6-2 in just 75 minutes. Sabalenka skipped the tour for a month after clinching her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open, and used the break to train alongside Djokovic, who resides in Greece.
“We went for dinner. We practiced a couple of times,” Sabalenka said. “I hope I was a great hitting partner. So far, he’s winning in Shanghai, so I guess I was.” She faces former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in Friday’s last-eight showdown.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek progressed to her 25th WTA 1000 quarter-final with a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory over Belinda Bencic and will meet Italy’s Jasmine Paolini next. Paolini advanced after Denmark’s Clara Tauson retired with a thigh injury while trailing 3-6, 6-1, 3-1.
American Coco Gauff ended the inspired run of Chinese wildcard Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-2, highlighting the international flavor at Optics Valley International Tennis Center. Sixth seed Jessica Pegula battled past Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a three-set thriller to complete the quarter-final line-up.
With top names firing on all cylinders, this year’s Wuhan Open promises high-intensity clashes as the season’s final WTA 1000 event heats up.
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Sabalenka, with help from Djokovic, and Swiatek reach Wuhan quarters
cgtn.com
