Aryna Sabalenka is getting better and better.

The world no.20 defeated an in-form Dominika Cibulkova in the quarters in Wuhan to be probably the favorite to win the all thing.

The match

Cibulkova got off to a strong start to grab a 2-0 lead. However, Aryna recovered immediately from her false start to conquer 5 of the following 6 games and lead 5-3. Eventually, Dominika managed to break back (5-4), but the Belarussian had the last spring to win the opener 7-5. When Aryna got a 3-0 lead in the second set it seemed as the affair was about to end soon, but once again the Slovakian refused to bow to break back (3-2). Aryna replied with another break at 15 (4-2) before winning the match 7-5 6-3 in 83 minutes.

The friend rice made me stronger. SABALENKA

Soon after the match, Aryna commented

“I’m so happy to be in the semifinals. It’s a nice tournament. I always like to be in China. I always play well here. She put pressure on me. Sometimes the game was going up, sometimes down. Well, I’m so happy that I finish this match with a win.”

The semifinal vs. Ashleigh Barty

Aryna will face Ashleigh Barty in the semifinal. The head to head is 1-0 for the Australian that defeated Sabalenka early in the year in the 1^st round of the Australian Open. But this is a different Sabalenka.