Elena Rybakina set up a Wuhan quarterfinal showdown with Aryna Sabalenka after beating last week's Beijing runner-upLinda Noskova 6-3 6-4.
The Kazakh, who is seeded at No. 8 at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, missed out on some early break point chances across two separate games. But in the eighth game, the 2022 Wimbledon champion made a breakthrough and claimed a key break for a 5-3 lead before serving out for the set in the following game.
After taking the first set, Rybakina also started the second with a break. At 5-3, the Kazakh tennis star failed to convert her first match point on Noskova's serve, but remained calm and routinely closed out the match on her serve in the 10th game.
ADVERTISEMENT
Throughout the match, the former world No. 3 was playing aggressively and she finished with eight aces and 31 winners.
Sabalenka is next up for Rybakina
When the Kazakh meets Sabalenka in Wuhan, it will be their third meeting of the season and overall their 13th clash. Heading into the match, the 2022 Wimbledon champion has five wins and seven losses against the current world No. 1.
If you can recall, Rybakina stunningly blew four match points during a Berlin loss to Sabalenka in June. However, the Kazakh tennis star got her revenge in August when she beat the Belarusian in Cincinnati.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, by reaching the Wuhan quarterfinal, the Kazakh keeps her chances of qualifying for the WTA Finals alive.
