Aryna Sabalenka suffered another disappointing early exit at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday, losing to American Ann Li 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5) in the second round as her pursuit of a fourth title at the tournament came to an abrupt end.

The top-seeded Sabalenka had already been eliminated by Nikola Bartunkova in the third round of the China Open last week. Against world number 31 Li, the Belarusian squandered a 6-3, 4-2 advantage to suffer a shock defeat in her opening match in Wuhan.

The four-time Grand Slam champion, who lost the world number one ranking to Elena Rybakina last month, has also gone without a tournament title since March.

Wearing protective strapping around her right knee, Sabalenka initially looked in control before Li shifted the momentum midway through the second set. The Belarusian called for medical assistance after losing her serve early in the deciding set and appeared to struggle with her movement.

Despite falling 2-5 behind, Sabalenka fought back impressively and saved nine match points to keep her hopes alive. However, Li maintained her composure and finally secured victory on her 10th match point after two hours and 27 minutes.

The American will next face Indonesia’s Janice Tjen in the round of 16.

Meanwhile, second seed Jessica Pegula, who finished runner-up in Wuhan last year, also suffered a surprise elimination. The American was beaten 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-3 by Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, despite holding three match points during the contest.

Ostapenko’s victory made her the first player to defeat Pegula in her opening match at a WTA 1000 tournament since Indian Wells more than two years ago. The result also ended Pegula’s remarkable run of 22 consecutive opening-match victories at that level.

Swiatek and Muchova advance

Elsewhere, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek made a convincing start to her Wuhan campaign, defeating compatriot Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-1 in an all-Polish second-round encounter.

The seventh-seeded Swiatek recorded her 40th victory of the season in one hour and 42 minutes. With Sabalenka now out of the draw, the Pole also has one fewer potential obstacle ahead of a possible quarter-final meeting with the former world number one.

Karolina Muchova, meanwhile, survived a three-hour battle against American qualifier Caty McNally, eventually winning 3-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(4).

The Wimbledon finalist continued her outstanding record in deciding-set tiebreaks, improving to 10-0 in such situations this season. Sixth seed Muchova will face Diana Shnaider in the round of 16.

British world number 170 Sonay Kartal also produced an impressive upset, defeating ninth seed Belinda Bencic 6-0, 7-5.

Kartal, who missed six months of the season because of a spinal stress fracture, booked a third-round meeting with Italian 15th seed Jasmine Paolini after delivering a commanding performance against the Swiss star.