Tennis Players Battle Sweltering Heat in Wuhan and Shanghai
Wuhan Open and Shanghai Masters players struggle in sweltering heat, prompting calls for better heat policies and player protection.
Tennis players battle sweltering heat in Wuhan and Shanghai...
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled hard Wednesday to keep her unbeaten record in Wuhan intact, having to come from behind to beat Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
The world number one started slowly in her first match since she clinched a fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open last month.
Aryna Sabalenka fought back from a set down to defeat Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, keeping her unbeaten record in Wuhan intact. The world number one struggled in the opening set but found her rhythm in the second, ultimately prevailing in three sets.
Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the last 16 of the Wuhan Open after a hard-fought win over Rebecca Sramkova, with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-1. The Belarusian's powerful game ultimately paid off in the final set, allowing her to overcome her opponent and maintain her perfect 18-0 win-loss record in Wuhan.
The match started shakily for Sabalenka, with both players struggling to hold their serves in the initial games. Sramkova seized the opportunity, taking a 3-1 lead and eventually claiming the first set in just 35 minutes with 15 winners. However, Sabalenka regrouped and leveled the match, dominating the decider to secure her spot in the next round.
Unmatched in Wuhan 👑@SabalenkaA | #WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/e1gg18Bl3P
— wta (@WTA) October 8, 2025
Sabalenka will face 16th-seeded Russian player Liudmila Samsonova, who defeated Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-1. Sabalenka is determined to continue her winning streak in Wuhan, chasing a fourth consecutive crown.
“She played incredible tennis, especially in the first set. There wasn't much I could do against her,” said Sabalenka.
“I knew after that little break, it will be not that easy to get back in my rhythm.
“But I'm really glad that in the second set I found my game, I stepped in, and I think I played really great.”
Gauff Advances to Last 16 in Wuhan
Coco Gauff cruised past Moyuka Uchijima with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 win, securing her spot in the last 16 of the Wuhan Open.
The third seed's flawless performance lasted just 51 minutes, marking her 18th win on Chinese soil since 2023 – the most by any player in China at the WTA level during that period. Gauff will next face Chinese wildcard Zhang Shuai for a place in the quarterfinal.
Gauff gets it done 💪@CocoGauff defeats Uchijima in straight sets to reach the Round of 16 in Wuhan.#WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/09QipMexNq
— wta (@WTA) October 8, 2025
Pegula's Thrilling Comeback Win
Jessica Pegula battled through a grueling match against Hailey Baptiste, ultimately prevailing 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6) after nearly three hours. The world number six served for the win twice in the third set but faced a fierce comeback from Baptiste, who saved five match points and took the game to a tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, Pegula's experience and determination paid off as she converted her seventh match point to seal the win. The match was a testament to both players' fighting spirit, with Baptiste pushing Pegula to her limits. Pegula now advances to the next round, where she'll face her next opponent.
“It's been brutal,” said Pegula, who will face Russian ninth seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round.
“Match points, then she started playing well, I think I just got a little tentative,” admitted Pegula.
“And that's all it takes sometimes for someone to come back.
“I'm really proud of myself for how I held it together because I think I easily could have just collapsed. But I held tough, so yeah, that was a wild ride.”
Heat-Related Struggles Continue in Wuhan
Karolina Muchova became the latest player to succumb to the extreme heat in Wuhan, retiring mid-match against Magdalena Frech due to heat-related issues. The 12th-seeded Czech player struggled to cope with temperatures above 30C, leading to a medical timeout where her vitals were checked on court. Despite a strong first set, Muchova was trailing 7-6 (7/1), 4-1 when she decided to retire.
The Wuhan Open has seen a string of players struggle with the heat, including Emma Raducanu, who retired earlier with dizziness, and Jelena Ostapenko, who suffered a heatstroke-induced collapse. The extreme weather conditions have sparked concerns about player safety and the scheduling of matches.
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