GOOD NEWS: Aryna Sabalenka takes Wuhan Open title to close on rankings leader Iga Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka maintained her unbeaten record at the Wuhan Open with her third title to close in on Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings.

Sabalenka lifted the trophy on both her previous visits in 2018 and 2019 and was unbeatable again following the tournament’s return to the schedule this year.

The Belarusian defeated home favourite Qinwen Zheng 6-3 5-7 6-3 and is now only 69 points behind Swiatek in the rankings, setting up an enticing battle at the WTA Finals next month.

Zheng had failed to win a set in three previous meetings with Sabalenka, including in the final of the Australian Open this year, but this was a much tighter encounter.

The Chinese fifth seed fought back very strongly after going a set and a break down to lead 5-3 in the second, failed to serve it out but then broke Sabalenka for the third time to level the match.

It was Sabalenka on top at the start of the decider, though, and, despite Zheng’s attempts to came back, the top seed clinched victory on her third match point.

“This place definitely feels like home,” said Sabalenka. “I’ll do my best to keep holding this beautiful trophy in this beautiful place

After three double faults in the first set, Gauff made nine in the second and nine more in the third as Sabalenka won 1-6 6-4 6-4.

Her 21 double faults was the most by a player in a main draw match in 2024.

Top seed Sabalenka, who is a two-time winner of this event, will face fifth seed Zheng Qinwen of China in Sunday’s final.

Gauff, who beat Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open, took a 4-2 lead in the second set after an early break as she continued her form from the first set.

But Gauff’s service game suddenly collapsed, allowing the Belarusian world number two to record successive breaks as she won four games in a row to take the second set.

Gauff’s service game deteriorated further in the decider and the American’s anger at failing to see out the match threatened to spill over.

Sabalenka, who has never lost in Wuhan, extended her winning run to seven games in a row by taking the first three games of the third set,

Gauff showed her resilience by winning four of the next five to level at 4-4.

But, after Sabalenka held her serve, Gauff double faulted on match point to hand the former world number one the win.

“Coco is an incredible player,” said Sabalenka.

“We’ve had a lot of tough battles in the past. She’s in great shape and I knew going into this match that it would be tough and that I would have to work really hard to get the win.

“A couple of mistakes from her and and I felt I probably still have chances.”