Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis

Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka served up a master class to beat Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-2, 6-2 and maintain her undefeated record at the Wuhan Open.

The Belarussian fired 42 winners in 16 games, and wrapped up her latest victory in 1 hour, 23 minutes to advance to her eighth semifinal of the year where she'll meet fourth-ranked Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka, the U.S. Open champion, is now 15-0 in Wuhan after winning the title on her first appearance in 2018 and defending her crown in 2019 before the tournament took a five-year hiatus from the calendar.

Earlier Friday, Gauff's impressive Asian swing showed no signs of ending as she routed Poland's Magda Linette 6-0, 6-4 for her 50th win of the season.

It was also the 20-year-old American's ninth-straight win in China, a streak which includes victory at the China Open last week, and never looked in doubt as Gauff broke the No. 45-ranked Linette four times and struck 19 winners to Linette's 13.

"I'm really happy with how I played," Gauff said. "Obviously a smooth first set. Had chances to maybe close it out in the 5-3 game in the second, but happy I was able to close it out on my serve."

It was a disappointing end to what was otherwise an impressive week for the 32-year-old Linette who had reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

The 51st-ranked Wang Xinyu of China, who beat third-ranked Jessica Pegula in the third round, rallied for a tight 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Wang will next play compatriot and Paris Olympics gold medalist Zheng Qinwen, who beat sixth-ranked Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis

Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis

Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis

Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis

Gauff, Sabalenka to square off in Wuhan semis