Ann Li upsets top seed Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan

Ann Li defeated top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the Wuhan Open second round on October 14, converting her 10th match point to complete a three-set comeback. The win sent the 31st-ranked American into the third round and ended Sabalenka’s campaign at the WTA 1000 tournament. Li recovered after losing the opening set and falling behind by a set and a break. Sabalenka, ranked No. 2, fought back in the deciding set and saved nine match points, but Li eventually closed out the match in a tiebreak. The contest lasted 2 hours and 27 minutes, according to one match account, which recorded 44 unforced errors by Sabalenka and 28 by Li. The result marked the biggest professional win of Li’s career, according to match coverage. In her on-court interview, she said she tried to stay focused and play one point at a time after missing earlier chances. She credited Sabalenka with playing well during those moments and said she had to keep believing she could create another opportunity. Sabalenka entered Wuhan as the top seed after receiving a first-round bye. Her exit followed a third-round loss at the China Open earlier in October and a defeat in the US Open final in September.