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In 2019, Aryna Sabalenka clinched her very first meeting with Elena Rybakina over three sets in the Wuhan Open quarterfinals. She would go on to celebrate her first WTA 1000 triumph following that victory.

Six years later, the two competitors—now with an established rivalry—crossed paths again at the very same stage of the tournament.

🖥️📲 The Match in 15 Minutes: Sabalenka vs. Rybakina, Wuhan

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HIGHLIGHTS: Aryna Sabalenka hits 20 Wuhan wins in a row with Rybakina victory | 2025 Wuhan QF

Sabalenka ultimately maintained her perfect Wuhan record, improving to 20-0 at the event after closing out a 6-3, 6-3 win over Rybakina Friday afternoon.

“Honestly, that’s just crazy,” summed up Sabalenka about her unbeaten run during an on-court interview.

“I feel a really great connection with the Chinese fans, I guess. I feel like at home playing in this stadium.”

The contest began with seven consecutive holds, before the world No. 1 made her move. On her second break point, Sabalenka set herself up to finish with an explosive inside-in forehand winner to end the Kazakh’s streak of 23 consecutive holds.

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Sabalenka improved to 8-5 against Rybakina.

Sabalenka improved to 8-5 against Rybakina.

The four-time major winner won seven of eight games at one stretch of the contest to turn it into a one-sided affair. She regained her double break advantage to end the hard-hitting showdown when Rybakina’s forehand reply sailed long.

Sabalenka remains on course to finish as the year-end world No. 1 for the second straight year. The 27-year-old is seeking her 10th career 1000-level trophy and third of 2025, following triumphs in Miami and Madrid. Sabalenka has now reached 60 tour-level semifinals, including 11 this season.

Sixth seed Jessica Pegula awaits in the last four after turning the tide to defeat Katerina Siniakova, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3. The American will be aiming to overturn a 2-8 mark against her peer.

As for Rybakina, her bid to overtake Jasmine Paolini for No. 8 in the Race to the WTA Finals will have to wait another week. The Italian can increase her lead if she manages to advance past Iga Swiatek for the first time in seven attempts later Friday. If Paolini loses, Pegula will become the sixth player to qualify to Riyadh.