Aryna Sabalenka beats Katerina Siniakova to reach Wuhan Open third round

Sabalenka's 15-match winning streak was ended by Karolina Muchova at the China Open last week, but the two-time champion of the WTA 1000 event progressed after 94 minutes on court.

It was Sabalenka's 50th tour-level victory of the season and boosted her chances of finishing 2024 as world number one after Iga Swiatek pulled out of another tournament, but the Belarusian is eager for her rival to return soon.

She told reporters: "I love having this competition and I love seeing her in the draw.

"I love to, like, get to the finals and face her in the finals. It's always great battles. I always enjoy fights against her.

"Hopefully we can play against each other there in the (WTA Finals), put it into a fight for world number one. That's ideal.

"I'm trying to focus on myself and make sure that I play my best tennis and make sure I still have this opportunity to become world number one at the end of the year."

Jessica Pegula, the second seed, is also through after opponent Anastasia Potapova had to retire, while Jasmine Paolini and Coco Gauff each booked their place in the last-16 with straight-set triumphs.

Home favourite Zheng Qinwen is also still in contention, but 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva is out after she lost to older sister Erika Andreeva, while sixth seed Emma Navarro was defeated by Poland's Magdalena Frech in three sets. 

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