Sabalenka crowned queen of Wuhan with 3rd straight title

Aryna Sabalenka won the WTA Wuhan title for a third consecutive edition on Sunday to remain an unblemished 17-0 as the Asian event.

They world no. 2 climbed closer to ranking rival Iga Swiatek with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 defeat of China’s Zheng Qinwen, 

The match was a repeat of January’s Australian Open final won by Sabalenka as well as a duplicate of a September quarter-final at the US Open.

Sabalenka also owns Wuhan titles from 2018 and 2019 – the last time the event was played as the COVID pandemic took hold from its start in the city.

Sabalenka lifted the 17th title of her career – fourth of the season including Grand Slams in Melbourne and New York – and now owns five in China.

The 22-year-old Zheng, who has lost all four of her meetings with Sabalenka,  remains in with a chance of qualifying for the WTA Finals to be staged in Saudi.

“I would say the conditions are probably a little bit better for her here,” Sabalenka said. “It’s much slower and the ball’s getting heavier. She has more things to do on the court when it’s slower.

“Honestly, I felt like I just lost little bit focus and I let her come back in the match. 

“I got a little bit frustrated there. It became a three-set match. Balls are getting heavier, in the third set, a bit emotional.”

Top-seeded Sabalenka took a lead of a set and 2-1 before Zheng made an impression as 13,000 home fans cheered her effort.

She levelled at a set each after winning eight of 10 points on her way to forcing a deciding set after the pair exchanged breaks 

Sabalenka re-asserted her authority in the third set, losing serve twice but breaking four times to clinch the trophy after two and three-quarter hours.

The top seed ended with seven aces among 32 winners.

“She forced me to see some of the weaknesses in my tactics,” Zheng said. “I really look forward to training. I look forward to the next match against her.

“After this loss, I’m feeling excited because I am doing better each time. There’s more room for improvement. I hope that I can close the gap and also can overcome this challenge.”

Sabalenka is keeping her chance at the top ranking in sharp focus as the season ticks down to the end next month.

“It’s a really tight ranking right now. I always say of course it’s one of the goals, but I prefer to focus on myself and just keep working hard.

“We’ll see after the Finals if I was good enough this season to become World No.1.”

Main photo:- Winner Aryna Sabalenka kisses Wuhan Trophy by WTATennis.com