Jessica Pegula ends Aryna Sabalenka's unbeaten Wuhan reign to set Coco Gauff final

Jessica Pegula pulled off something no other woman had been able to do on the WTA Tour Saturday evening.

Conquer Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan.

The sixth seed put an end to Sabalenka’s 20-0 record at the WTA 1000 event with a sensational comeback performance. Down 2-5 in their final set, Pegula slowly chipped away at the deficit before pulling out a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory over the world No. 1.

“That was crazy. I can’t believe I came back and won that,” Pegula reacted when addressing the crowd.

🖥️📲 The Match in 15 Minutes: Pegula vs. Sabalenka

Sabalenka served for the contest at 5-3 and came within two points of extending her unbeaten run. But Pegula kept pressing by making her returns and drawing errors off changes in pace to get back on serve.

In the eleventh game, after Sabalenka recovered from 0-40, Pegula broke two points later in an enthralling rally that ended with the three-time champion throwing her racquet after just missing the final shot of the exchange wide.

Pegula then tightened up, missing a pair of match points—the first on a double fault at 40-30. Sabalenka sent the decider into a tiebreak with her own question asking on a crumbling Pegula serve to claim a 16-point game.

The American hit the reset button, striking first for 3-1 by disguising the perfect backhand drop shot the top seed didn’t bother attempting to chase down. A deep forehand on the run caught Sabalenka off guard in earning Pegula a second straight point on return.

From there, Pegula ran to the finish line to end a four-match losing streak against Sabalenka that included losses in this year’s Miami final and US Open semifinals.

“I was clearly very nervous trying to serve it out. Lost my timing, lost my rhythm, trying to go for too much,” said Pegula. “But I bounced right back in the tiebreak. I’m just really proud of myself.”

Pegula has won all four of her matches this week in deciding sets and has now taken seven of eight three-settters at her past two tournaments. Countrywoman and former doubles partner Coco Gauff awaits in the final after snapping her own skid against Jasmine Paolini.