Wuhan Open: Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff set up semi-final clash after victories in quarter-finals

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff will play each other in Saturday's semi-finals at the Wuhan Open in China after comfortable straight-set wins in Friday's quarter-finals.

World No 1 Sabalenka and No 4-ranked Gauff will compete for a place in Sunday's Wuhan final, with the winner to face either Wang Xinyu or Qinwen Zheng.

Gauff claimed her eighth WTA win in a row and 50th of the year with a 6-0 6-4 triumph over Poland's Magda Linette as the 20-year-old American chases back-to-back tournament successes after victory at last week's China Open in Beijing.

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While Gauff won the first set without losing a game, the American had to save four break points on her serve in order to do so, with her returns ultimately proving too strong for Linette at the decisive moments.

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"I'm really happy with how I played," said Gauff, who overcame making eight double-faults in the match.

"Obviously a smooth first set. Had chances to maybe close it out in the 5-3 game in the second, but happy I was able to close it out on my serve."

Sabalenka later cruised through to her third successive Wuhan semi-final by beating Polish opponent Magdalena Frech 6-2 6-2 in a one-sided match in which the Belarusian delivered 42 winners.

The 26-year-old won the previous two editions of the tournament, in 2018 and 2019, prior to its five-year absence from the calendar after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sabalenka vs Gauff for a place in Sunday's final

Gauff holds a 4-3 advantage in the pair's previous meetings, famously winning the 2023 US Open final before Sabalenka gained her revenge in this year's Australian Open semis.

"We've played a lot of matches in the past, a lot of great battles," said Sabalenka. "I'm really excited."

While Sabalenka vs Gauff will dominate global headlines, the attention of the home fans will be focused on an all-Chinese contest in the other semi-final.

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Wang Xinyu fought back from losing the first set to beat world No 33 Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6 7-5 7-6 (8-6).

Fifth seed Qinwen Zheng then joined her compatriot in the last four by beating Italian third seed Jasmine Paolini 6-2 3-6 6-3.

What's coming up on Sky Sports Tennis in October?

• Shanghai Masters - ATP 1000 (October 2-13)
• Wuhan Open - WTA 1000 (October 7-13)
• Almaty Open, Kazakhstan - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
• Stockholm Open, Sweden - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
• European Open, Antwerp - ATP 250 (October 14-20)
• Japan Open, Osaka - WTA 250 (October 14-20)
• Ningbo Open, China - WTA 500 (October 14-20)
• Erste Bank Open, Vienna - ATP 500 (October 21-27)
• Swiss Indoors, Basel - ATP 500 (October 21-27)
• Guangzhou Open, China - WTA 250 (October 21-27)
• Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis, Tokyo - WTA 500 (October 21-27)

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