Aryna Sabalenka Absolutely Obliterates Elena Rybakina While Pegula Somehow Survives Another Tennis Marathon

Let’s be real here—watching the Wuhan Open quarterfinals on Friday was like witnessing two completely different sports being played. While Aryna Sabalenka was out there dismantling Elena Rybakina with the efficiency of a tennis-playing terminator, Jessica Pegula was once again putting us all through emotional torture in what can only be described as her specialty: the three-set thriller nobody asked for but somehow keeps happening.

Sabalenka’s Revenge Tour Continues

Remember when Rybakina absolutely demolished Sabalenka in Cincinnati just over a month ago? Yeah, well, Sabalenka clearly didn’t forget either. The World No. 1 served up some ice-cold revenge with a 6-3, 6-3 victory that was about as competitive as a tennis lesson between a pro and your weekend warrior uncle.

In just 85 minutes, Sabalenka extended her ridiculous Wuhan Open winning streak to 20 matches. Twenty! At this point, she might as well set up permanent residence in the city because clearly, this tournament is her personal playground. The Belarusian powerhouse has now won this title in 2018, 2019, and 2023—and frankly, it would be shocking if she didn’t add 2024 to that collection.

What made this victory even sweeter for Sabalenka was the fact that she was trailing 7-5 in their head-to-head record going into this match. Rybakina had been the thorn in her side, especially after that brutal Cincinnati beatdown where she won 6-1, 6-4 like she was playing a practice match. But on Friday? The tables turned so hard they nearly broke.

The Art of Sabalenka’s Dominance

The match started with both players holding serve, but you could sense that Sabalenka was just waiting for her moment. When it came in the eighth game of the first set, she pounced with the killer instinct of a predator. A scorching forehand winner broke Rybakina’s serve, and from that moment, it was essentially game over.

What’s particularly impressive about Sabalenka’s performance is how she maintained her composure throughout. Sure, she had a few service wobbles late in the match—because apparently, even tennis robots need to show they’re human sometimes—but she never let Rybakina back into the contest. It was clinical, ruthless, and exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s made Wuhan her personal kingdom.

“She’s a great player, very nice girl and always tough to play against,” Sabalenka said afterward, probably through gritted teeth because let’s be honest, nobody enjoys losing to the same opponent repeatedly. “We have a really huge history against each other, always great battles, and I’m always excited to play her.”

Translation: “I finally got my revenge, and it felt fantastic.”

Meanwhile, Pegula’s Three-Set Addiction Continues

While Sabalenka was efficiently dispatching her opponent, Jessica Pegula was somewhere else entirely, locked in mortal combat with qualifier Katerina Siniakova in what can only be described as the most Pegula match ever played.

The American dropped the first set 6-2 in just over 30 minutes, looking like she’d rather be anywhere else on the planet. For a moment, it seemed like her incredible run might finally come to an end. But here’s the thing about Pegula—she’s basically become the tennis equivalent of a horror movie villain who refuses to die no matter how many times you think she’s done for.

What happened next was pure Pegula magic (or masochism, depending on your perspective). She stormed through the second set 6-0 in just 23 minutes, delivering a bagel so ruthless it probably left Siniakova questioning her life choices. Then came the inevitable third set, because of course there was a third set—it’s Jessica Pegula we’re talking about.