Aryna Sabalenka vs Rebecca Sramkova Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Sabalenka begins bid for fourth Wuhan title

After some heartbreaking defeats in the latter stages of Grand Slams this season, Sabalenka turned the tables at the US Open, defeating Amanda Anisimova in the final and picking up her fourth major title - cementing her status as World No. 1 in the process. Sabalenka decided to take an extended holiday after that triumph, missing the China Open, but she's back in Wuhan and ready to extend her perfect 17-0 record at the tournament after winning the title in 2018-19 and returning last year to make it a hat-trick of trophies.

Obviously Sabalenka is the overwhelming favourite and I do think she prevails - but it might not be so straightforward. Sramkova was one of the better players on tour in Asia last year and she's coming off a nice win over Anna Kalinskaya in her Wuhan opener. Sabalenka hasn't been winning matches easily either. In fact, 18 of her last 19 victories dating back to Roland Garros have seen Over 18.5 total games - and with $2.35 on offer for that method of Sabalenka victory, that's the value bet for this clash.

This will be the first career meeting between the pair and the first time Sramkova has faced a World No. 1. The Slovakian is 0-6 vs top 10 players throughout her career.

Sabalenka has put together a 56-10 record on the season, remaining World No. 1 and adding another four titles to her growing honour roll.

While titles in Brisbane, Miami and Madrid were nice, a player of Sabalenka's calibre is targeting the slams, so it was a disappointing season up until arriving in New York last month.

Sabalenka had lost in the final of the Australian Open and Roland Garros, along with the semi-finals of Wimbledon - while she had also tasted defeat in the Indian Wells final, widely considered the biggest tournament outside of the four majors.

However, Sabalenka turned the tables at the US Open, avenging her Wimbledon semi-final loss to Amanda Anisimova in the final to successfully defend her title at Flushing Meadows.

As mentioned, Sabalenka skipped Beijing last week, but will be more than confident heading into Wuhan, where she's won the title on all three previous appearances - including defeating Qinwen Zheng in the final last year.

Sramkova has struggled to back up her breakout campaign of last season, coming into this contest with a negative 19-25 record and down at No. 68 in the rankings after peaking at No. 33.

The 28-year-old enjoyed an extremely fruitful period in Asia last year, concluding the season with a title in Hua Hin, finals in Monastir and Jiujiang and a third-round finish in Beijing.

However, Sramkova hasn't been able to build on those results throughout 2025 and arrived in Wuhan on a three-match losing streak.

The Slovakian did manage to snap that run with a solid scalp over Anna Kalinskaya in the opening round earlier this week, prevailing 6-2 3-6 6-3.