Sabalenka's slump continues with Wuhan Open exit to Li
Aryna Sabalenka’s difficult run of form continued on Wednesday as the Belarusian top seed crashed out of the Wuhan Open, falling 3-6 6-4 7-6(5) to unseeded American Ann Li in the round of 32. The defeat extended a barren spell for the four-time Grand Slam champion, who has not lifted a trophy since completing the ‘Sunshine Double’ with titles at Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year. Sabalenka…
On Wednesday, Aryna Sabalenka's losing streak continued as she was defeated by unseeded American Ann Li in the Wuhan Open round of 32. The Belarusian top seed suffered a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) loss, extending her recent poor form. Since winning the Indian Wells and Miami titles earlier this year, Sabalenka has not lifted a trophy. She reached the US Open final last month but lost to Elena Rybakina, failing to secure a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022.
Sabalenka also suffered a third-round exit at the China Open earlier this month, surrendering her world number one ranking to Rybakina after the US Open.
Li, ranked 31st, made a significant comeback after falling 4-1 behind in the final set, saving five match points and holding serve for 5-3. Despite Sabalenka's late fightback, she could not overcome her error-strewn play, hitting 44 unforced errors compared to Li's 28 in the two-hour, 27-minute match. American second seed Jessica Pegula also exited the tournament, with Jelena Ostapenko overcoming a set deficit to win 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-3.
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