Coco’s season has been a rollercoaster of heartbreaks and triumphs. After enduring a series of tough losses, the American sensation managed to flip the script in the blink of an eye, securing her second title of the year at the China Open. Now, Gauff is riding high on her momentum, storming through the competition at the Wuhan Open, where she’s eyeing yet another trophy. But the path to victory isn’t going to be easy. One of the biggest hurdles in her way? None other than Aryna Sabalenka, the formidable powerhouse who is in sensational form this season.

Gauff will face the Belarusian star in the semi-finals on Saturday as the anticipation and buzz around the match remain palpable. While the match’s fate will be decided in a couple of hours from now, one thing is certain: it will be a thrilling encounter. 

Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka: Preview

The American sensation has been in sensational form ever since the US Open. She is on a 9-match winning streak and has dropped only two sets in these matches. She also has a remarkable hard-court win ratio of 79% this season, which would definitely give her a major boost in her match. While form is on Gauff’s side now, the 2024 season has seen major transitions for her. She parted ways with her former coach Brad Gilbert and joined forces with Matt Daly, and the changes are yielding immediate results. In Wuhan, her latest win came against World No. 45 Magda Linette, who was left baffled in straight sets 6-0, 6-4. This also helped Gauff improve her win-loss ratio this season to 48-14. 

Aryna Sabalenka, on the other hand, is riding high on recent success. The Belarusian star has clinched two Grand Slams at the Australian Open and the US Open and emerged victorious at the Cincinnati Masters. The tennis sensation has never lost a match in Wuhan so far in her career and is on a 15-0 roll at the venue. This also helped her clinch titles in 2018 and 2019. This year again, she is in sensational form and has lost just one set against Yulia Putnitseva in the round of 16. In her previous match, she was able to outshine Magdalena Fręch in straight sets 6-2, 6-2. Besides, her 84% success rate on the hard courts has helped her win 52 of the 64 matches she has played this year. 

Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka: Head-to-Head

Gauff and Sabalenka have met each other on seven occasions on the WTA circuit. In their previous encounter that came at the Australian Open this year, Sabalenka managed to outshine the young American. Despite this, Gauff enjoys a marginal lead in the head-to-head tally by winning four of the seven matches.

• 2024 Australian Open, SF: Sabalenka 7-6(2), 6-4
• 2023 US Open, Final: Gauff 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
• 2023 Indian Wells, QF: Sabalenka 6-4, 6-0
• 2022 Toronto Open, R16: Gauff 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4)
• 2021 Italian Open, R16: Gauff 7-5, 6-3
• 2020 Ostrava Open R16: Sabalenka 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(2)
• 2020 Lexington Open R16: Gauff 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4

Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka to win in a three-setter thriller

While both Gauff and Sabalenka are on dominant runs, the stake is higher for the Belarusian player, who will likely be leveling the head-to-head tally after this match. The Belarusian star has displayed immense skills this week when it comes to her baseline game and pushed her opponents onto the backfoot with hard hittings. Her return game has been equally powerful, and she has broken her opponents on 15 occasions this tournament. Besides, she has only shot a total of 6 double faults so far at the Wuhan Open this season. 

This stat can become troublesome for Gauff, who, despite some improvements, is battling with her service game. She has shot 12 double faults in the past three matches and cannot afford to make a similar mistake against Sabalenka. While Gauff has a winning percentage of 73.4% in her service games, she still trails behind Sabalenka, who has 80.2% success in service games. Unless Gauff overcomes her struggles with her service and especially double faults, it would be difficult for her to move past a strong opponent like Sabalenka.

While the American star might take a lead in some moments, the Belarusian star will likely prevail over her and reach the finals after a tightly-knit contest.