Jessica Pegula served for the match at 6-5 after an epic comeback that caused Aryna Sabalenka to toss her racket in frustration which bounced and became dangerously close to hitting a camera person.
Things Jessica Pegula did this match:
– Came back from 2-5 down in the third set
– Defeated reigning 3-time Wuhan champion
– Defeated Sabalenka for the first time this year
– Ended Sabalenka’s 9 tiebreak win streakAbsolute madness. #jessicapegula #wta #tennis
— womtennis (@womtennis) October 11, 2025
During that game, she had four double faults, lost her serve, and was forced into a third set tiebreaker. Sabalenka, the three-time champion, is practically unbeatable in tiebreakers and has never lost in Wuhan in 20 previous matches. For Pegula to hold it together and forget the missed opportunities was an impressive feat.
BREATHTAKING 💪
Jess Pegula battles back from a set down against Sabalenka to win the deciding tiebreak 7-2. An absolute classic in Wuhan!
#WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/bEXfnfZKnC— wta (@WTA) October 11, 2025
Pegula began the match as she has a lot this fall, by losing the first set. She made tactical changes that kept her in it. Pegula admitted that she was very nervous serving for the match at 6-5.
Jessica Pegula d. Sabalenka 2-6 6-4 7-6
Down 2-5 in the 3rd.
Pegula becomes the only player to beat Aryna in Wuhan, snapping her 20 match win streak.
She also snaps Aryna’s streak of 19 consecutive tiebreaks won & breaks a 4 match losing streak against Aryna.
Into her 6th… pic.twitter.com/JufPokVeXP
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) October 11, 2025
She is a warrior who has played a ton of tennis in the past few months. So many three-set matches with match points that have slipped and defended have crept into her game this fall. This was her eighth straight third and deciding set; she has won seven of them.
Sabalenka was shaken and angry post match reportedly yelling and throwing rackets.
Producer must be trolling because the recap montage after the match stats were shown is full of Sabalenka throwing rackets or frustratedly shouting hahaha pic.twitter.com/khO1IGNQZ2
— islandtennisgirl (@islandtennisace) October 11, 2025
Pegula knows her finals opponent all too well, her American compatriot and former doubles partner Coco Gauff. She admitted that it is always an honor to play Gauff whom she knows well, and there are no secrets in their tactics, strategies, and games. However, it is the first time she has met Gauff in a tournament final.
Gauff has quietly been playing so great in Wuhan. She dismissed Jasmine Paolini in straight sets and has arguably played her best since winning the French Open.
Pegula also qualified for the 2025 WTA Finals during her Wuhan run. She joins Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys. She is very proud to be the fourth American in the final eight. Two spots remain with Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina, and Mirra Andreeva in the mix for them. Paolini and Andreeva have already qualified for the WTA Finals in doubles.
