Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka hits a return to the US’s Ann Li during their women’s singles match at the Wuhan Open in Wuhan, China. (AFP pic)WUHAN: A frustrated Aryna Sabalenka suffered a second successive early exit as her bid for a fourth Wuhan Open title was foiled by American world number 31 Ann Li 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in round two on Wednesday.
The top-seeded Sabalenka fell to Nikola Bartunkova in the third round at the China Open last week and squandered a 6-3, 4-2 lead against Li to stumble at her very first hurdle in Wuhan.
The Belarusian four-time major winner lost her number one ranking to Elena Rybakina last month and has not won a title since March.
Playing with protective taping around her right knee, Sabalenka was in control of the match until Li swung the momentum in her direction halfway through the second set.
