On October 13, the Wuhan Open reached its thrilling conclusion, where Chinese player Zheng Qinwen faced off against Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka. Despite her valiant effort, Zheng fell short and ended as the runner-up. However, this marked a personal best for Zheng in WTA 1000 events, while Sabalenka celebrated her third championship title at the Wuhan Open.

In their previous three encounters, Sabalenka had emerged victorious at the 2023 US Open, as well as during this year’s Australian Open and US Open. The final match began with Zheng dropping the first set 3-6. However, she quickly regrouped and fought back in the second set, winning 7-5 to equalize. In the deciding set, Zheng showcased her determination but ultimately succumbed to Sabalenka’s powerful attacks, finishing the match with a 3-6 score.

Zheng’s remarkable year includes a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a gold medal at the Olympics. She has performed exceptionally well during the Chinese season, first reaching the semifinals of the China Open, her debut in a WTA 1000 event, and then defeating compatriot Wang Xinyu to become the first local player to advance to the final of the Wuhan Open, marking her first entry into a WTA 1000 final.

Originally from Shiyan, Hubei, Zheng may not have secured the championship in her hometown, but she has undoubtedly set a new benchmark in her career within the WTA 1000 tournaments. Her strong performances at both the China Open and the Wuhan Open have propelled her ranking in the race for the WTA Finals to seventh in the world, positioning her favorably for qualification.

In a post-match interview, Zheng expressed her gratitude to her hometown fans, stating, “Thank you all for your encouragement. I hope to do even better next time. Wuhan is where my dreams began. Although I regret not bringing home the championship trophy, I hope to fulfill that wish in my career.”