On October 11, the 2025 Wuhan Open reached its climax as two semifinal matches featured four players ranked within the world’s top ten. Third seed Coco Gauff defeated seventh seed Jasmine Paolini 2-0 to reach the Wuhan Open final for the first time in her career. Her opponent in the final will be sixth seed Jessica Pegula, who overcame three-time Wuhan champion Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 in a thrilling three-set match, ending Sabalenka’s dream of winning four consecutive titles.
Gauff Reaches First Wuhan Final
Despite having lost three previous matches against Paolini, this time in Wuhan it was Gauff who emerged victorious. Gauff eliminated Paolini in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, reaching the Wuhan Open final for the first time in her career and marking her third WTA 1000 final this season and fifth overall.
After the first set began, both players held serve to level at 2-2. They then engaged in a series of service breaks, with Gauff breaking first and Paolini immediately breaking back. In the ninth game, Paolini won four consecutive points to break back and narrow the gap to 4-5. However, Gauff broke again in the tenth game to win the first set 6-4.
Amid cheers from the crowd, Paolini rallied in the second set, racing around the court to take a 3-2 lead after five games. Gauff then began to take control of the match. In the crucial ninth game, Gauff earned three match points, with Paolini saving two of them. Gauff converted the final match point with a beautiful net volley, then sat down on the court in celebration after winning.
This marks Gauff’s first appearance in the Wuhan final, having lost to Sabalenka in last year’s semifinals. Regarding the final, Gauff said: “I’ve reached finals before, both winning and losing. I believe my previous experience will help me well. Regardless of the opponent, I need to focus on myself and play my best tennis.”
Sabalenka Suffers Upset Defeat
The dominant Sabalenka encountered her toughest opponent in the semifinals against sixth seed Pegula. Before the semifinals in Wuhan this year, Pegula had played three-set matches in all her previous rounds and won them all.
The first two sets ended with both players tied at 1-1. The deciding set was full of twists and turns, with Sabalenka taking a 2-0 lead before Pegula leveled the score. Sabalenka then won three consecutive games to lead 5-2. Pegula then mounted a stunning comeback, winning four straight games to lead 6-5. In the eleventh game, Pegula forced three break points against Sabalenka’s serve. Sabalenka saved all three to level the game but ultimately lost it, becoming so frustrated that she threw her racket.
The twelfth game was even more dramatic, as Pegula, who had earned match point first, surprisingly committed four double faults. The game went to deuce five times before Sabalenka eventually forced a tiebreak.
In the tiebreak, Sabalenka appeared unsettled and quickly lost 2-7, abruptly ending her Wuhan title defense and halting her Wuhan winning streak at 20 matches.
In the final, Pegula will face compatriot Gauff. Regardless of who wins, the Wuhan Open will crown a new champion. Pegula stated: “Gauff and I know each other very well and understand each other’s styles and tactics. She’s an excellent player, and this will be a great match.”
