Overview
- Jessica Pegula beat the world No. 1, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), ending Sabalenka’s perfect 20-0 record at Wuhan.
- At 5-5 in the third set’s 11th game, Sabalenka threw her racket toward her bench, it bounced off the chair and narrowly missed a nearby ballboy and cameraman.
- Officials issued a racket-abuse warning, and broadcasters noted she could have been defaulted had contact occurred under WTA rules.
- Pegula advanced to the final before losing to Coco Gauff, and no additional disciplinary action has been announced.
- Sabalenka later wrote on Instagram that she was disappointed with the result and thanked fans for their support.