Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka’s Wuhan Open 2025 Masterclass – Defending Champion Extends an Unstoppable Century‑Rare Streak

Sabalenka extends flawless Wuhan run, chasing history with 18‑match streak intact

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka etched her name deeper into WTA history on Wednesday at the Wuhan Open. As she became the second player this century to win her first 18 main‑draw matches at a single event. The world No. 1 needed three sets to overcome Rebecca Sramkova, 4‑6, 6‑3, 6‑1, in 1 hour and 58 minutes, extending her flawless record at Wuhan to 18‑0. Sabalenka now trails only Caroline Wozniacki, who won her first 20 matches at New Haven between 2008 and 2012, for the longest such streak at a single tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka completes the comeback to extend her perfect record in China by defeating Rebecca Sramkova (4-6, 6-3, 6-1) 🔥

She is now 18-0 at the Wuhan Open in her career 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6LUnvCnoKp
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 8, 2025

Sabalenka’s Wuhan Reign and Record Run

Wuhan has long been a fortress for Sabalenka, and the Belarusian proved it yet again this season. Since capturing her maiden WTA 1000 crown here in 2018, Sabalenka has not lost a match in the tournament, clinching titles in 2018, 2019, and 2024. Arriving in 2025 as defending champion, she now extends her perfect run, solidifying her dominance.

The victory over Sramkova was not without its moments of resistance. Sramkova, making her Wuhan debut, brought her own undefeated streak to the match after a first‑round win over Anna Kalinskaya. But Sabalenka, adjusting after dropping the first set, unleashed her well-known power and precision to win.

Aryna Sabalenka is unstoppable 💪⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Q9Krfg8yI5
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) October 8, 2025

Sabalenka’s next challenge is a familiar foe, Liudmila Samsonova. The 16th seed recovered from a set down to defeat Sofia Kenin and will face Sabalenka in the third round. The Belarusian leads their head‑to‑head 3‑2, having won their last two encounters in straight sets at Cincinnati 2024 and Indian Wells 2025.

18 – Aryna Sabalenka is the second player this Century to win her first 18 main draw matches at a single WTA level event after Caroline Wozniacki in New Haven (she won her first 20). Wow. #WuhanOpen | @wuhanopentennis @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/N5TCq7tkJ9
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) October 8, 2025

Sabalenka’s Wuhan streak is a statement of her adaptability, mental strength, and affinity for the conditions. As she chases her fourth Wuhan title, she also pursues a milestone that could cement her legacy as one of the most dominant players at a single event in WTA history. Wuhan is hers to defend and to make further history.

Mandatory Image Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

18-Match Streak

Aryna Sabalenka

Wuhan Open 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.