Jessica Pegula mounted a stunning comeback to beat Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-4 7-6 (2) and snap the Belarusian's perfect 20-0 record in Wuhan.
At the start of the match, defending champion Sabalenka lost her serve twice but still easily won the opener after taking the American's serve four times.
Down by a set, Pegula bounced back by claiming a break in the seventh game for a 4-3 lead before serving out for the set three games later.
After losing the second set, Sabalenka responded by opening a 5-2 third-set lead. At that point, it seemed that the Belarusian would record another Wuhan win - improve to 21-0 at the tournament - and reach her fourth consecutive final at the Chinese tournament. But then, Pegula came back to force a tie-break - which she dominated and won with only two lost points.
Pegula didn't only snap Sabalenka's perfect record in Wuhan, but she also ended her four-match losing streak to the world No. 1.
In the Wuhan final, the sixth-seeded American plays against Coco Gauff.
Pegula played her eighth consecutive three-set match
One of the most interesting stories from this year's Asian swing has been Pegula consistently seeing her matches go three sets.
I dont know. I guess Im in really good shape. I definitely dont think I need to play anymore matches or work on any physical stuff because Ive been able to battle through these matches and play really well. But yeah, I dont know. Im happy Ive been able to figure things out. Obviously, I wish maybe it was more straightforward for my mental and physical sake, but if I win every match for the rest of my life in three sets, I think Id be pretty happy," the American said before the Sabalenka match.
It may have been another tough day for Pegula in Wuhan, but she definitely has no regrets after emerging victorius.
