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.

The Statistics That Make No Sense

Here’s where things get genuinely absurd: Pegula has now won six three-set matches in her last seven outings. Six out of seven! At this point, it’s not just a pattern—it’s basically her brand. She’s accumulated over 15 hours of court time in just 13 days, which sounds more like a prison sentence than a tennis schedule.

“I don’t know,” Pegula admitted after the match, probably as bewildered as the rest of us. “I guess I’m in really good shape. I definitely don’t think I need to play anymore matches or work on any physical stuff because I’ve been able to battle through these matches and play really well.”

You think? The woman has basically turned the WTA tour into her personal fitness bootcamp, and somehow she keeps finding ways to win. It’s simultaneously impressive and slightly concerning for her long-term health and sanity.

Setting Up the Ultimate Clash

Now we get the semifinal matchup everyone’s been waiting for: Sabalenka versus Pegula. It’s power versus persistence, efficiency versus endurance, the unstoppable force versus the immovable object who refuses to lose in fewer than three sets.

Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 8-2, including victories in the US Open final last year and this year’s US Open semifinals. On paper, this should be another routine victory for the Belarusian. But here’s the thing about Pegula—she specializes in making nothing routine.

If history is any indication, we’re in for another three-set marathon because apparently, that’s just how Pegula rolls these days. The question isn’t whether she can win, but whether she can do it without giving everyone watching a heart attack in the process.

The Bigger Picture

What makes this semifinal particularly intriguing is the contrast in styles and approaches. Sabalenka has been cruising through this tournament like she’s driving a luxury car on an empty highway, while Pegula has been taking the scenic route through every pothole and traffic jam imaginable.

Both approaches have gotten them to the same destination, but one has certainly been easier on the nerves (and the clock). Sabalenka’s dominance in Wuhan continues to be a sight to behold—she genuinely seems to have found her tennis nirvana in this tournament, and it shows in every shot she hits.

For Pegula, this represents another opportunity to prove that sometimes the scenic route leads to the best destinations. Her ability to find ways to win when everything seems to be going wrong is becoming the stuff of legend, even if it’s the kind of legend that requires a strong constitution to witness.

What to Expect Next

When these two meet in the semifinals, we’re likely to see a fascinating chess match between contrasting philosophies. Sabalenka will try to overwhelm with power and precision, while Pegula will look to drag the match into deep waters where her superior conditioning and mental fortitude can take over.

The smart money is on Sabalenka, given her historical dominance over Pegula and her current form in Wuhan. But if we’ve learned anything from Pegula’s recent performances, it’s that she specializes in making the smart money look pretty stupid.

One thing’s for certain: if you’re planning to watch this semifinal, clear your schedule. With Pegula involved, there’s approximately zero chance this match ends in straight sets, and given the stakes, we might be in for another three-hour epic that tests everyone’s endurance—players and spectators alike.