WUHAN, China | October 14, 2026 | Jelena Ostapenko rallied from a set down and saved three match points to defeat second-seeded Jessica Pegula, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3, at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday, spoiling the American’s return to competition after more than a month away.
According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), Ostapenko fought back in a dramatic second-set tiebreak to level the match before taking control of the deciding set. The Latvian’s victory advanced her to the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament.
Pegula, ranked fourth in the world, had not played since her semifinal defeat at the US Open in September. She skipped tournaments in Singapore and Beijing to recover from the physical demands of a busy summer schedule, according to tournament coverage.
The American appeared on course for victory after taking the opening set 6-2, but Ostapenko stayed in contention and capitalized on her opportunities in the tiebreak. After saving all three match points, the Latvian carried her momentum into the final set to complete the comeback.
Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion, is known for her aggressive baseline game and powerful groundstrokes. Her Wuhan win also avenged her loss to Pegula at Indian Wells earlier this year, where the American prevailed in three sets.
Pegula reached the Wuhan final in 2025, losing to Coco Gauff. Her early exit this year is a setback as the Asian swing continues, while Ostapenko moves forward with a significant victory over one of the tournament’s top seeds.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
