Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina advanced in style at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open, strengthening their bids for the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh. The seventh-seeded Paolini overcame local wildcard Yue Yuan 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, marking her fourth straight win against the Chinese player. Shortly after, eighth seed Rybakina defeated Jaqueline Adina Cristian 6-4, 6-3 to reach the round of 16.
Paolini Closing in on Career-Best Season
Paolini’s win brought her 39 WTA main-draw victories in 2025, just one shy of her career-best 40 wins from last season. She faces Clara Tauson next, holding a 1-0 head-to-head advantage. With a month remaining in the season, Paolini is on track to set a new personal best for annual main-draw wins.
Historic Milestones on WTA 1000 Hard Courts
The 29-year-old Italian also became the fourth Italian player to record 40+ WTA 1000 hard-court main-draw wins since 2009, joining Roberta Vinci, Flavia Pennetta, and Sara Errani. She is now the oldest player to notch 24+ main-draw wins at WTA 1000 events in a single season since Serena Williams in 2014.
Rybakina Chasing 10th Quarterfinal of 2025
Rybakina has reached nine quarterfinals this year, trailing only Iga Swiatek (13) and Aryna Sabalenka (12), and is currently tied with Jessica Pegula and Ekaterina Alexandrova, who face each other in Wuhan’s round of 16. Rybakina will next meet Linda Noskova, holding a 2-0 head-to-head record, including wins at Roland Garros 2023 and Brisbane 2024.
WTA Finals Race Implications
With three spots still open for Riyadh, both Paolini (ninth) and Rybakina (eighth) have strengthened their chances. Rybakina must finish at least one round ahead of Paolini this week to maintain her edge in the Race to Riyadh.