Pegula ends Sabalenka's perfect Wuhan record to set up final against Gauff

Jessica Pegula battled from behind to end Aryna Sabalenka's perfect record at the Wuhan Open with a dramatic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory in the semifinals on Saturday, and will face her American compatriot Coco Gauff for the title.

Contesting an eighth consecutive three-setter, Pegula clawed her way back from 5-2 down in the decider to shock the World No. 1 and set up a final against Gauff, who swept past Italy's Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3.

"That was crazy, I can't believe I came back and won that," said Pegula, who has prevailed in seven of her eight consecutive three-set matches over the course of 17 days.

"I'm just really proud of myself. 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 I can."

The sixth-seeded Pegula advanced to her sixth final of the season after dethroning the reigning champion and heavy favorite Sabalenka, who went into the match with a perfect 20-0 record in Wuhan.

World No. 3 Gauff survived a battle of wills and some serving wobbles against Paolini in their semifinal showdown.

The two-time Grand Slam champion had lost all three of her previous meetings with Paolini in 2025, but turned things around with a clutch effort in the fourth.

"It was 3-0 this year, but I think our [overall] head-to-head is even now," said Gauff of her record against the World No. 5. "I'm really happy with how I played today, it was tough, especially playing on the serve, but I did what I needed to do to get through."