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Aryna Sabalenka overcame a rusty start in Wuhan as she fought back to beat Rebecca Sramkova in her first appearance since winning the US Open.

The world number one secured her first Grand Slam trophy of the year in New York, retaining her title as she defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final.

But in her first match for over a month, Sabalenka’s game was initially riddled with errors and she struggled with the power of Slovakia’s Sramkova, ranked 68th in the world.

However, after losing the first set she settled into her game in the second set before steamrolling through the third to wrap up a 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory.

“I knew it would be not easy after the break [following the US Open] to get into my rhythm but I am glad in the second set I found my game, I stepped in and I played really great,” Sabalenka said.

“I have to say she played incredible tennis, especially in the first set and there was not much I could do.”

Sabalenka is the three-time defending champion in Wuhan, having won in 2018 and 2019, and again in 2024 following the tournament’s three-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked what it was like to be nicknamed the “Daughter of Wuhan”, Sabalenka replied: “First I was ‘Daughter of China’, then ‘Queen of Fried Rice’ [a nickname she says is in honour of her love of the dish].

“And then I talked to [China’s world number 10 Zheng] Qinwen and they actually call me ‘Tiger’. So many nicknames.

“I won so many tournaments here and it feels like home, I hope I can go all the way.”

Given a bye to the second round, Sabalenka cut a frustrated figure as she struggled with her serve, with a handful of double faults handing Sramkova an early break.

The Slovak played Sabalenka at her own game, beating the top seed with deep, aggressive hitting to the baseline and huge serves as she took the opener 6-4.

But Sabalenka eventually regained some rhythm to strike first in the second set and she fended off several break points to open up a 5-2 lead on her way to forcing a decider.

With more momentum behind her, the four-time major champion took control in the third set, breaking twice and saving four more break points at 5-1 before securing the victory with another break of serve.

Sabalenka will face Liudmila Samsonova after the Russian beat former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 3-6 6-3 6-1.

Earlier, Coco Gauff breezed into the third round with a 51-minute win against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, who won just five points on the American third seed’s serve.

Sixth seed Jessica Pegula avoided an upset in the second round, winning 6-4 4-6 7-6 (8-6) after converting her seventh match point in a gruelling two hour and 55 minute encounter with fellow American and world number 55 Hailey Baptiste.

Pegula will face Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova next, while Gauff will play Shuai Zhang, the world number 142 who beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

Japan’s four-time major winner Naomi Osaka lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 to Czech Linda Noskova, the world number 17 who is continuing her fine run of form during the Asian swing after reaching the final of the China Open earlier this month.

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a rusty start in Wuhan as she fought back to beat Rebecca Sramkova in her first appearance since winning the US Open.

The world number one secured her first Grand Slam trophy of the year in New York, retaining her title as she defeated Amanda Anisimova in the final.

But in her first match for over a month, Sabalenka’s game was initially riddled with errors and she struggled with the power of Slovakia’s Sramkova, ranked 68th in the world.

However, after losing the first set she settled into her game in the second set before steamrolling through the third to wrap up a 4-6 6-3 6-1 victory.

“I knew it would be not easy after the break [following the US Open] to get into my rhythm but I am glad in the second set I found my game, I stepped in and I played really great,” Sabalenka said.

“I have to say she played incredible tennis, especially in the first set and there was not much I could do.”

Sabalenka is the three-time defending champion in Wuhan, having won in 2018 and 2019, and again in 2024 following the tournament’s three-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked what it was like to be nicknamed the “Daughter of Wuhan”, Sabalenka replied: “First I was ‘Daughter of China’, then ‘Queen of Fried Rice’ [a nickname she says is in honour of her love of the dish].

“And then I talked to [China’s world number 10 Zheng] Qinwen and they actually call me ‘Tiger’. So many nicknames.

“I won so many tournaments here and it feels like home, I hope I can go all the way.”

Given a bye to the second round, Sabalenka cut a frustrated figure as she struggled with her serve, with a handful of double faults handing Sramkova an early break.

The Slovak played Sabalenka at her own game, beating the top seed with deep, aggressive hitting to the baseline and huge serves as she took the opener 6-4.

But Sabalenka eventually regained some rhythm to strike first in the second set and she fended off several break points to open up a 5-2 lead on her way to forcing a decider.

With more momentum behind her, the four-time major champion took control in the third set, breaking twice and saving four more break points at 5-1 before securing the victory with another break of serve.

Sabalenka will face Liudmila Samsonova after the Russian beat former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 3-6 6-3 6-1.

Earlier, Coco Gauff breezed into the third round with a 51-minute win against Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, who won just five points on the American third seed’s serve.

Sixth seed Jessica Pegula avoided an upset in the second round, winning 6-4 4-6 7-6 (8-6) after converting her seventh match point in a gruelling two hour and 55 minute encounter with fellow American and world number 55 Hailey Baptiste.

Pegula will face Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova next, while Gauff will play Shuai Zhang, the world number 142 who beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

Japan’s four-time major winner Naomi Osaka lost 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 to Czech Linda Noskova, the world number 17 who is continuing her fine run of form during the Asian swing after reaching the final of the China Open earlier this month.

Europe’s top clubs risk “breaking” football if league games are moved overseas, says Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

The president is worried about taking football away from its “roots”, with two European league games to be played abroad for the first time.

La Liga clubs Villarreal and Barcelona are due to face each other in Miami in December, and in February AC Milan will play their Serie A match with Como in Perth, Australia.

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot said the plan to play his side’s match in Perth is “completely crazy” and “really absurd” in an interview with Le Figaro, as reported by the Athletic.

“Football is not just about balance sheets. It’s not just entertainment. It’s life in our communities, the streets, the clubs and the fans which shape it. If we pull it too far away from those roots we risk breaking it,” Ceferin told club officials at the European Football Clubs’ (formerly the European Club Association) general assembly in Rome.

“In uncertain times football is our anchor and gives us a common ground, a joy we can share. In good times and in bad, football is always there, reliable lasting – always there.

“When Europe faces great political, economic and social challenges we need something which holds us together. Football has that power and we must preserve it.

“I believe it will prosper and inspire. It will do so because we are strong.”

Uefa says it consulted stakeholders and found “widespread lack of support” for league matches to be played abroad, echoing concerns raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions.

But it said world governing body Fifa’s regulatory framework is “not clear and detailed enough” for it to block the plans.

Ceferin also said Uefa would never create or support an exclusive competition, further confirming its position against a European Super League.

Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs, including six from the Premier League, signed up to plans to form a European Super League in 2021.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham were the English representatives, joining AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as founding members.

Revamped plans were announced after a top court ruled banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was unlawful.

Ceferin said: “Europe sets standards in world football and for that reason we see attacks from outside to reshape the game.

“Change is part of football story – we know this very well – but lasting value comes only from unity, balance and the strength of everyone, not just a few.

“Uefa will never and would not organise a competition for 12 clubs only.

Europe’s top clubs risk “breaking” football if league games are moved overseas, says Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

The president is worried about taking football away from its “roots”, with two European league games to be played abroad for the first time.

La Liga clubs Villarreal and Barcelona are due to face each other in Miami in December, and in February AC Milan will play their Serie A match with Como in Perth, Australia.

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot said the plan to play his side’s match in Perth is “completely crazy” and “really absurd” in an interview with Le Figaro, as reported by the Athletic.

“Football is not just about balance sheets. It’s not just entertainment. It’s life in our communities, the streets, the clubs and the fans which shape it. If we pull it too far away from those roots we risk breaking it,” Ceferin told club officials at the European Football Clubs’ (formerly the European Club Association) general assembly in Rome.

“In uncertain times football is our anchor and gives us a common ground, a joy we can share. In good times and in bad, football is always there, reliable lasting – always there.

“When Europe faces great political, economic and social challenges we need something which holds us together. Football has that power and we must preserve it.

“I believe it will prosper and inspire. It will do so because we are strong.”

Uefa says it consulted stakeholders and found “widespread lack of support” for league matches to be played abroad, echoing concerns raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions.

But it said world governing body Fifa’s regulatory framework is “not clear and detailed enough” for it to block the plans.

Ceferin also said Uefa would never create or support an exclusive competition, further confirming its position against a European Super League.

Twelve of Europe’s leading clubs, including six from the Premier League, signed up to plans to form a European Super League in 2021.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham were the English representatives, joining AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona as founding members.

Revamped plans were announced after a top court ruled banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was unlawful.

Ceferin said: “Europe sets standards in world football and for that reason we see attacks from outside to reshape the game.

“Change is part of football story – we know this very well – but lasting value comes only from unity, balance and the strength of everyone, not just a few.

“Uefa will never and would not organise a competition for 12 clubs only.