Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat Rebecca Sramkova 4-6 6-3 6-1 at the Wuhan Open, in her first outing since winning the US Open.

Sabalenka withdrew from the China Open in Beijing due to a minor injury after claiming her fourth grand slam title at Flushing Meadows, and she was initially rusty on her return to action on Wednesday.

The world number one found herself behind as Sramkova took a first set that began with three straight breaks of serve – two of which went the Slovakian's way.

However, Sabalenka got the only break of the second set and withstood some stern pressure on serve – including saving five break points in game seven – to force a decider.

The momentum was with Sabalenka from that moment, as she broke twice en route to a 4-1 lead in the third set.

Sramkova missed four opportunities to recover one of those breaks in game six, and Sabalenka was then able to serve the contest out, with her opponent striking the net cord on her second match point.

Sabalenka, who is now 18-0 at Wuhan after winning the title in all three of her previous participations in 2018, 2019 and 2024, will face Liudmila Samsonova in the third round.

Unmatched in Wuhan @SabalenkaA | #WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/e1gg18Bl3P

— wta (@WTA) October 8, 2025

Data Debrief: Sabalenka still perfect

Sabalenka's latest victory at the Wuhan Open made her only the second player this century to win her first 18 matches at a single WTA Tour event.

Caroline Wozniacki previously won her first 20 at New Haven between 2008 and 2012, and that mark is now within Sabalenka's sights as she targets a fourth Wuhan crown.