Aryna Sabalenka battled through a rusty start to claim victory over Rebecca Sramkova in her first match since winning the US Open, advancing in the Wuhan Open.
The world number one secured her first Grand Slam title of the year in New York, successfully defending her US Open crown with a win over Amanda Anisimova in the final.
However, in her first outing for more than a month, Sabalenka’s game was initially marred by errors as she struggled against the powerful hitting of Slovakia’s Sramkova, ranked 68th in the world.
After dropping the first set 4-6, Sabalenka found her rhythm in the second set before dominating the third to complete a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 comeback win.
“I knew it would be not easy after the break [following the US Open] to get into my rhythm but I am glad in the second set I found my game, I stepped in and I played really great,” Sabalenka said.
“I have to say she played incredible tennis, especially in the first set and there was not much I could do.”
Sabalenka is the three-time defending champion in Wuhan, having won the tournament in 2018, 2019, and again in 2024 after a three-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked about her nickname “Daughter of Wuhan,” Sabalenka smiled, recalling other playful monikers.
“First I was ‘Daughter of China,’ then ‘Queen of Fried Rice’ [in honour of her love of the dish]. And then I talked to [China’s world number 10 Zheng] Qinwen and they actually call me ‘Tiger’. So many nicknames.”
She added, “I won so many tournaments here and it feels like home, I hope I can go all the way.”
Given a bye into the second round, Sabalenka looked frustrated early on, struggling with her serve and giving away several double faults, which allowed Sramkova to take an early break.
The Slovak matched Sabalenka’s power with deep, aggressive baseline hitting and strong serves, taking the opening set 6-4.
Sabalenka regained momentum in the second set, breaking serve first and fending off several break points to build a 5-2 lead, ultimately forcing a deciding set.
With her confidence growing, the four-time major champion dominated the third set, breaking twice and saving four break points at 5-1 before sealing the match with another break.
Sabalenka will now face Liudmila Samsonova, who overcame former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Elsewhere, Coco Gauff cruised into the third round with a swift 51-minute victory over Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, who managed just five points on the American’s serve.
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula survived a tough test against compatriot Hailey Baptiste, winning 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) after nearly three hours of play. Pegula will meet Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova next, while Gauff faces Shuai Zhang, who defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
Japan’s four-time major winner Naomi Osaka suffered a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 loss to Czech player Linda Noskova, ranked 17th, who continues her strong form during the Asian swing.
Meanwhile, the heat and humidity took their toll on Czech 12th seed Karolina Muchova, who was forced to retire trailing 7-6 (7-1), 4-1 to Poland’s Magdalena Frech.
