World · Malaysia Bureau
Top seed Sabalenka knocked out in second round at Wuhan Open
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka's bid for a fourth Wuhan Open title ended in disappointment on Wednesday as American Ann Li pulled off a stunning upset victory. The 31st-ranked Li defeated the top seed 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in a hard-fought second-round encounter.
LSN Malaysia ·
Sabalenka's early exit marks the second consecutive tournament where the defending champion has fallen in the opening rounds, dealing a significant blow to her title defence at the prestigious Chinese event. Li's three-set victory was built on a resilient second-half performance, with the American breaking through in the second set and forcing a deciding tiebreak that she dominated.
The closely contested match showcased Li's improved form and tactical execution against one of the tour's most dominant players. After losing the opening set, Li regrouped to level the match before capturing the third set in a nail-biting tiebreaker, securing one of the biggest wins of her career.
Sabalenka's tournament hopes have now ended, adding to the volatility that has characterised her recent campaign. The result represents a significant upset in the draw and opens the door for other contenders to advance toward the title at Wuhan.