Aryna Sabalenka is my favorite tennis player in the world. She's my all-time favorite tennis player. Which is saying a lot because I was a huge Martina Hingis fan back in the day. So as you guys already know Aryna Sabalenka is ranked #1 in the WTA and she'll be participating in the 2025 WTA Finals at Riyadh in early November. But in the mean time she's trying to defend her Title at the 2025 Wuhan Open. Her first match since seizing glory at the 2025 US Open.

Only problem is Aryna Sabalenka may be a little rusty. She hasn't played in over a month since she defeated Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to capture the 2025 US Open Title. And even when I had Forum Gold I could rarely place a wager on Sabalenka because most of her matches are outrageous odds. Like today's Round of 32 between Aryna Sabalenka and Rebecca Šramková the BetMGM odds are Sabalenka (-2000) and Šramková (+800). So basically it's impossible to bet on those odds.

But anyway. I was worried Aryna would be a little rusty. She fell behind 1-3 in the first set. She's battled back but still down 3-4 in the first set. I'm confident Aryna Sabalenka is going to win this match against Rebecca Šramková but I've been super nervous with this slow start due to the long time off. I hope she wins this match even if it's not an easy straight set victory. I'll still be proud of Aryna if she wins in three sets. Heck. I'll be proud of her win or lose. She's my favorite tennis player in the world!!

And as I finish writing all of this Aryna Sabalenka is now down 3-5 in the first set. I didn't have her losing the first set on my bingo card.
OMG! I'm nervous. I'm literally shaking and sweating. Yesss!!! 4-5 now in the first set. Come on, Aryna. You got this. Tie it up 5-5 now.

Okay. I'm not going to panic at all. Aryna Sabalenka just lost the first set 4-6. Not playing a WTA match in a little over a month. I have faith Aryna Sabalenka can storm back and win the next two sets to be victorious in this match. Extra degree of difficulty is all. Nobody said it was going to be an easy match given the circumstances. Which is why I don't quite understand the BetMGM odds being so outrageous. Maybe -500 for Aryna would've been fair but not -2000. Like I said I'm very proud of Aryna win or lose. I just hope she wins because I want to see her win the 2025 Wuhan Open Title. She's the best in the world. She'll be fine.

This post was edited by MADmartigan on Oct 8 2025 02:17am

Aryna Sabalenka is fighting back like the champion she is. She won the second set 6-3 to force a deciding third set.
Unbelievable tennis going on. I haven't slept at all. It's about to be 4 AM here in Texas. I'm feeling so many emotions now.

Wow guys. I don't even know why I'm feeling so emotional. I'm crying happy tears right now.
Aryna Sabalenka won the match 4-6, 6-3 and 6-1. I stayed up until 4:32 AM. No sleep at all.

I apologize for posting so randomly like this. I didn't quite spot a 24-hour tennis forum thread.
I'm just thankful I'll get to enjoy Aryna Sabalenka playing in the Round of 16. One step closer!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to participate in any betting action for the 2025 Wuhan Open.
I would've been able to if the Habs had won last night but the Maple Leafs were too much.

So I wanted to use this thread to discuss the 2025 Wuhan Open and my favorite tennis player if that's okay.
I'll try to keep it short. I should just make a WTA discussion thread later on. I love the WTA more than the ATP.

I watched Aryna Sabalenka defeat Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in the Round of 16 at 2 AM this morning.

Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarterfinals to play Elena Rybakina. And Aryna holds a 7-5 head-to-head advantage.
But I also remember when Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open on my birthday August 15.

I don't like to use the word revenge as much as I do redemption. But this Sabalenka vs. Rybakina rivalry is intense.

I hope Aryna Sabalenka wins this time around. The match is scheduled at 1 AM Eastern tomorrow (midnight for me).
The winner of this match will advance to the Final Four (seminfinals) at the 2025 Wuhan Open. I hope Aryna wins.

One interesting thing to note. Aryna Sabalenka is now 19-0 all time at the Wuhan Open. She has never lost a match at Wuhan.
She is now three wins away from capturing another Wuhan Open Title. Which would be huge going into the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

Yes!! Aryna Sabalenka won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Final Four at Wuhan (Semifinals). What an amazing match for her. She didn't take anything to chance even when Elena Rybakina was making it interesting. Aryna had that mamba mentality and just put Rybakina away like the great champion she is. I was jumping up and down in my room screaming so loudly in excitement. I think I woke up the neighbors. I don't even care. WTA is serious business!

If Aryna plays like this she's going to win the 2025 Wuhan Open Title and the 2025 WTA Finals at Riyadh in November as well. Beautiful tennis. She's absolutely locked in and focused right now. She's going to be difficult for anybody to beat if she continues like this. I'm super happy right mow. Happiest I've ever been. I love all of you guys so much. I don't even care about Forum Gold anymore. I'm happy with nothing. I finally feel a peace of mind.

Coco Gauff just defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-4, 6-3 to reach the 2025 Wuhan Open Final.

And now Aryna Sabalenka is about to play Jessica Pegula to see who plays Coco Gauff.

I should say Jessie Pegula (she calls herself Jessie on X). She has been called the Wonder Woman of Wuhan.
All of Pegula's matches have seemingly gone the distance. She's been the three set Queen. Remarkable effort.

I like Pegula a lot but Sabalenka is my favorite player and I'm loyal to her. It'll feel bittersweet to me watching Sabalenka beat Pegula. And I know I shouldn't feel that way. I should just cheer for my favorite player to win and have that ruthless mentality. That mamba mentality. But I have compassion for Pegula. She has won me over with the way she's been winning her matches. That will likely end right now but what a great run Pegula has been on.

I've enjoyed this 2025 Wuhan Open a lot. Probably the most fun I've had watching Tennis in many years. Since Martina Hingis in the late '90s.

As a passionate Aryna Sabalenka fan I just wanted to congratulate Jessica Pegula. She has been the Wonder Woman of Wuhan. Relentless energy. A superhero effort in every match. She earned a tremendous 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) victory. I was expecting to watch some elite tennis this morning and that's exactly what I had seen. So the 2025 Wuhan Open Final will be Jessica Pegula vs. Coco Gauff. A battle of the two highly ranked Americans.

Thank you guys for allowing me to use this thread as a 2025 Wuhan Open discussion. It's now over for me as my favorite player just lost.
Anyway. Maybe one day I'll return to the Tennis sub-forum. But right now I'm feeling like the great run is officially over. I have nothing left.

Super amazing run it's been. I was having the most fun I ever had watching this Tournament. But as always it's never quite as great as it seems.

Its the end of the season so yeah, not everyone is giving their best

But im in love with sabalenka too

Who are your Top 5 WTA players? Mine are Aryna Sabalenka, Paula Badosa, Marta Kostyuk, McCartney Keller and Iva Jović.

It's already 3 AM and I had stayed up watching McCartney Kessler defeat Sofia Kenin in straight sets 6-1, 6-0 at the Ningbo Open.
Very quick match. Kessler has played well lately. She is fun to watch when she's healthy and playing well. A lot like Paula Badosa

Unfortunately for Paula Badosa she's not going to return until 2026. She had an endless string of injuries this past year. I also like Emma Raducanu but she seems to play with more grace and elegance. I like players that play with more aggression and ferocity. But can also control their emotions and play a finesse game if needed. Paula Badosa does that so well. She can play any style of game. I can't wait for her to return to the court.

All time my favorite tennis player was Martina Hingis. I wish she played in today's era. So many great players in the WTA right now.