WUHAN, China (Reuters) -Top seed Aryna Sabalenka shook off a second-set blip to win three back-to-back Wuhan Open titles after beating Chinese fifth seed and home favourite Zheng Qinwen 6-3 5-7 6-3 in the final on Sunday.

WUHAN – Aryna Sabalenka became the first player to win the Wuhan Open three times by defeating local hero Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the final on Oct 13. The top seed, who also triumphed at the event in 2018 and 2019, kept her undefeated record in Wuhan intact, improving to a perfect 17-0.

Zheng Qinwen is defeated by Aryna Sabalenka 3-6, 7-5, 3-6 in the Wuhan Open final on Sunday. Photo: Courtesy of People's Daily. China's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen fell short of beati

Aryna Sabalenka secured her third straight Wuhan Open title with a hard fought victory over Zheng Qinwen in Sunday’s final.

Aryna Sabalenka lost her focus and was her own worst enemy at times during her 6-3 5-7 6-3 win over home favourite Zheng Qinwen in the Wuhan Open final, the world number two said on Sunday. Sabalenka eased through the opener but lost some control in the second set against the Paris Olympics gold medallist before securing her third straight title in Wuhan.

Aryna Sabalenka wins the 2024 Wuhan Open title after beating China's Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.

Aryna Sabalenka becomes the first player to win the Wuhan Open three times by defeating home hope Zheng Qinwen in Sunday's final.