Tough loss for Sabalenka as Britain's Kartal earns big win over Bencic in Wuhan
Ann Li sealed the biggest win of her career by upsetting Aryna Sabalenka on her 10th match point after Britain's Sonay Kartal secured another huge win at the Wuhan Open.
Key points
- Ann Li beat world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka on her 10th match point in Wuhan.
- Sonay Kartal defeated Belinda Bencic 6-0 7-5 after returning from a back injury.
- Iga Swiatek and Daniil Medvedev also advanced in Wuhan and Shanghai.
American Ann Li secured the biggest win of her career by upsetting world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) at the Wuhan Open. Li converted her 10th match point to reach the last 16, after Sabalenka had led by a set and 4-2 and saved nine match points.
Britain's Sonay Kartal also claimed a major victory, defeating world No 12 Belinda Bencic 6-0 7-5 in the second round. Kartal, ranked 170th after a six-month injury absence, is guaranteed to rise about 40 places.
Sabalenka's title drought
Sabalenka, the top seed and three-time champion in Wuhan, has now gone 10 consecutive tournaments without a title. She appeared in control against Li but faltered, trailing 5-2 in the decider before saving nine match points.
Li's victory marks the most significant result of her career so far.
I trusted that I would be able to get my level back, I just didn't know how quickly.
— Sonay Kartal
Kartal's comeback continues
Kartal missed six months with a stress fracture in her back and returned last month at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen. She reached the third round in Beijing last week and now faces Jasmine Paolini next.
Kartal told a press conference: "I trusted that I would be able to get my level back, I just didn't know how quickly." She added that she still sees room for improvement.
Other results in China
Seventh seed Iga Swiatek beat fellow Pole Magdalena Frech 6-2 6-1, winning 10 straight games after dropping serve in the opening game. Karolina Muchova came from 6-3 2-0 down to defeat qualifier Caty McNally 3-6 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-4).
Jessica Pegula squandered three match points and lost to Jelena Ostapenko 2-6 7-6 (9-7) 6-3. In Shanghai, Daniil Medvedev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 7-5 to reach his third consecutive quarter-final.
