19-0! Sabalenka Remains Perfect in Wuhan with win over Samsonova

After her 6-3, 6-2 victory over Luidmila Samsonova on Thursday in Wuhan, Aryna Sabalenka signed the camera with a googly-eyed smiley face. 

On court, during the 75-minute encounter, the world No.1 was all business, however. 

Sabalenka fired 21 winners and lost just ten points on serve as she powered past the world No.20 to stretch her Wuhan winning streak to 19. The four-time major champion never faced a break point and committed just 13 errors as she improved to 4-2 lifetime against Samsonova and 58-10 on the season.

It was yet another breathtaking display from a tennis power in her powerful prime. 

“I’m super happy with the win especially against Liudmila – she’s a tough opponent, we’ve played a lot of tough matches in the past and I’m happy to close this match in straight sets. 

“Really happy with the level I played today, serving well and returning well.” 

Sabalenka has yet to lose in her four appearances at Wuhan. Her 19 consecutive wins in the Chinese city are the most in succession at the same WTA 1000 event since Serena Williams won 21 on the trot at Rome between 2012 and 2019. 

The 27-year-old is bidding for her 10th WTA 1000 title in Wuhan this week, and 22nd overall. She will face Elena Rybakina or Linda Noskova next. 

In her first match since winning the US Open in September, Sabalenka had to rally to win her first round match, a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over Rebecca Sramkova, but looks to be in full flight now. She extends her personal winning streak to nine victories, and reaches her 30th WTA 1000 quarterfinal, which ties Serena Williams for ninth on the all-time list since the format was introduced in 2009. 

In other action on Thursday in Wuhan, Jessica Pegula pulled past 7-5 3-6 6-3, while Jasmine Paolini also advanced her Riyadh hopes with a 3-6 6-1 3-1 ret win over Clara Tauson. 

Katerina Siniakova took out American teen Iva Jovic, 7-5, 6-3, while Germany’s Laura Siegemund became the fourth-oldest paleyr to reach a WTA 1000 quarterfinal with a 6-4 7-6(2) win over Poland’s Magdalena Frech.