World number one Aryna Sabalenka was forced to apologise to a ball boy after a furious outburst at the Wuhan Open.
Sabalenka was out to land her fourth successive triumph in China having emerged victorious in 2018, 2019 and 2024, the event cancelled for four years due to the COVID pandemic.
The 27-year-old looked on course to reach the final at Jessica Pegula's expense in Wuham having raced into a 5-2 lead in the third set with the scores level on one set apiece.
Sabalenka had won the first set 6-2 before Pegula levelled the match as she claimed the second set 6-4.
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And as the Belarusian appeared on on cruise control to book her place in the Wuhan Open final, American Pegula mounted an impressive comeback that saw her book her spot in the final, where she’ll take on compatriot Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka could have defaulted the match
The major talking point though came with the scores level at 5-5 in the third set where Pegula had an advantage.
After an impressive rally, Sabalenka returned a volley that was just out, handing the initiative to Pegula, who’d go on to win the third set 7-6.
Sabalenka, though, launched her racket in frustration, which came close to hitting a ball boy at courtside.
“The racket goes flying and who has she hit there with the racket,” the commentator said on Sky Sports.
“That is dangerous territory for Sabalenka, this semi-final has exploded into life in the last 10 to 15 minutes.
“Sabalenka gets a warning for the racket abuse, but she is lucky it is not more.”
A furious Sabalenka immediately held her hand up in apology, which replays showed narrowly missed the ball boy and the cameraman. Had the racket struck either, she’d likely have defaulted the match.
The three-time Wuhan Open winner was handed a lifeline by Pegula, who double-faulted four times when trying to serve out the match, but it was one that Sabalenka failed to capitalise upon.
Pegula held nerve to set up all-American final in Wuhan
Pegula, who is the daughter of American Terry Pegula, the 74-year-old president of both the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills in the NHL and NFL, respectively, admitted she is proud of herself after beating Sabalenka for the first time in her career.
“For what I did in the tie-break, I'm just really proud of myself,” Pegula said post-match
“I've played so much tennis the last few weeks, so many three-set matches, but I feel like I'm very tough right now and I'm just using that as best as I can.”
With Pegula up against Gauff in Sunday’s final, it means an American will win the Wuhan Open for the first time since Venus Williams beat Spaniard Gabine Muguruza in 2015.
Williams won the first set 6-3 10 years ago and was 3-0 up in the second before Muguruza was forced to retire owing to an ankle injury.
Topics: Tennis
Ben McAleer