Pegula Roars Back to Dismiss Sabalenka in Wuhan, Sets Up All-American Final
11 October 2025
Pegula's comeback seals Wuhan Open final
Jessica Pegula fought back from a 2-6 deficit in the opening set to stun world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, winning 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(7-2) to reach the Wuhan Open final. Sabalenka had dominated the early exchanges and carried a strong Wuhan streak into the semifinal, but Pegula found another gear when it mattered most.
Sabalenka began with clinical serving and aggressive baseline power, taking the first set with control. Pegula steadied her returned and forehand, turning the tide in the second set as she leveled the match at one set apiece with a decisive 6-4 win.
In the deciding frame, Pegula faced an uphill climb, trailing 2-5 and later 3-5. She rallied with precise shotmaking and endurance, forcing a tiebreak that she dominated 7-2 to clinch the upset in front of a big Wuhan crowd.
“The match was crazy, I can’t believe I found a way to win it,” Pegula said afterward, praising her persistence and the momentum swing that defined the conclusion of the match.
She added that her recent schedule—lots of three-setters in a short span—had sharpened her mental and physical edges just in time for a title push in China.
Sabalenka, despite the loss, had entered the day with a formidable 20-match Wuhan streak and a surge of confidence, illustrating why this result was so notable and dramatic for both players as they head toward the summer’s end showdown.
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff booked her place in the final by defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3. The American talent secured her fifth final of 2025 and will race Pegula for the Wuhan trophy in what promises to be a blockbuster duel between two homegrown stars.
Gauff had earlier outplayed Paolini with steady rhythm and smart aggression, continuing a strong run that underscored her readiness for big-stage moments in big events.
So we’re left with an all-American final in Wuhan, a testament to the depth of US tennis this season and the narrative of two players who’ve grown into major contenders in 2025.
Punchline time: If comebacks were a sport, Pegula just filed a personal best—a five-set thriller in a three-set night. Punchline two: In Wuhan, even the ball wanted a front-row seat for the drama, and Pegula wouldn’t let it down without a trophy to show for it.
