World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka found herself at the center of controversy after a fiery moment during her Wuhan Open semi-final clash with American star Jessica Pegula, leaving fans stunned and officials on alert.
The Belarusian powerhouse, who has enjoyed massive success in China — winning in 2018, 2019, and 2024 — was chasing a fourth Wuhan title. Everything seemed to be going her way after taking the first set 6-2 and storming to a 5-2 lead in the decider. But as momentum slipped away, emotions boiled over in dramatic fashion.
Pegula mounted a sensational comeback, pushing the match to the limit. With the score tied at 5-5 in the third set, Sabalenka fired a volley just wide — and that was the breaking point. In sheer frustration, she hurled her racket, narrowly missing a nearby ball boy and cameraman.
“The racket goes flying — that’s dangerous territory for Sabalenka!” a commentator exclaimed on Sky Sports, as replays showed just how close disaster had come. The outburst earned Sabalenka a warning for racket abuse, though many felt she was lucky not to be defaulted on the spot.
Realizing the gravity of the moment, Sabalenka immediately raised her hand in apology, visibly shaken as she returned to her chair. Her opponent, however, stayed composed. Despite double-faulting multiple times while trying to serve out the match, Pegula held her nerve to seal a stunning 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 victory — her first ever over the world No.1.
“I’m just really proud of myself,” Pegula said afterward. “I’ve played so much tennis in recent weeks, but I feel strong — mentally and physically. I just fought for every point.”
With the win, Pegula booked an all-American final showdown with Coco Gauff, marking the first U.S. winner in Wuhan since Venus Williams in 2015.
As for Sabalenka, it was a hard reminder that even champions can lose control. Her raw competitiveness remains unmatched — but in the high-pressure world of elite tennis, one furious moment can change everything.
