Iga Swiatek defeated Ann Li, 6-4, 6-1, to reach the Wuhan Open semi-finals.
The Pole is now just two wins away from clinching her 13th WTA 1000 title. But perhaps more importantly, Swiatek could move into the WTA Finals qualification places by lifting the trophy in Wuhan.
Unfortunately for Swiatek, she may face her greatest nemesis in the final. She is expected to beat Maja Chwalinska in the semis, but could then face Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the championship match.
Iga Swiatek may need to beat Jelena Ostapenko for the first time to keep her WTA Finals dream alive
Swiatek will play Chwalinska and Ostapenko will play Sonay Kartal in the Wuhan Open semi-finals. Swiatek won’t want to see Ostapenko in the final, and for good reason.
2026 Wuhan Open semi-finals
- [7] Iga Swiatek vs [16] Maja Chwalinska
- Sonay Kartal vs Jelena Ostapenko
The six-time Grand Slam champion has never beaten Ostapenko in six attempts. It’s one of the strangest head-to-head records in women’s tennis… Swiatek, for whatever reason, cannot solve the Ostapenko puzzle.
Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko’s head-to-head record (0-6)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 Stuttgart Open – QF | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 |
| 2025 Qatar Open – SF | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2023 US Open – 4R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2022 Dubai Tennis Championships – 2R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 |
| 2021 Indian Wells – 4R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2019 Birmingham Classic – 1R | Jelena Ostapenko | Iga Swiatek | 6-0, 6-2 |
She’s lost to the 29-year-old on all three surfaces – grass, clay, and hard courts – over six years. Whenever Swiatek plays Ostapenko, she freezes, and the charismatic Latvian knows it.
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So, if Swiatek is to win the Wuhan Open and remain in the hunt for the last WTA Finals qualification spot, she may need to achieve something she’s never done before and take down Ostapenko.
Iga Swiatek will move back into the WTA Finals qualification places if she wins the Wuhan Open
Swiatek currently sits ninth in the ‘Live WTA Race’. As the Wimbledon champion, Linda Noskova is already qualified; therefore, the Pole can only overtake one player, Karolina Muchova.
Live WTA Race (Current)
- 1. Elena Rybakina – 7,502 points (Qualified)
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka – 6,560 points (Qualified)
- 3. Mirra Andreeva – 6,371 points (Qualified)
- 4. Jessica Pegula – 5,835 points (Qualified)
- 5. Coco Gauff – 5,774 points (Qualified)
- 6. Elina Svitolina – 5,131 points (Qualified)
- 7. Karolina Muchova – 4,735 points (Qualifying)
- 8. Linda Noskova – 4,354 points (Qualified)
- 9. Iga Swiatek – 4,189 points (Not qualifying)
- 10. Marta Kostyuk – 3,920 points (Not qualifying)
Muchova leads Swiatek by 546 points, a fairly significant gap. However, if Swiatek wins the Wuhan Open, she will move ahead of Muchova and lead by 64 points.
WTA Race (If Iga Swiatek wins Wuhan)
- 1. Elena Rybakina – 7,502 points (Qualified)
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka – 6,560 points (Qualified)
- 3. Mirra Andreeva – 6,371 points (Qualified)
- 4. Jessica Pegula – 5,835 points (Qualified)
- 5. Coco Gauff – 5,774 points (Qualified)
- 6. Elina Svitolina – 5,131 points (Qualified)
- 7. Iga Swiatek – 4,799 points (Qualifying)
- 8. Karolina Muchova – 4,735 points (Not qualifying)
- 9. Linda Noskova – 4,354 points (Qualified)
- 10. Marta Kostyuk – 3,920 points (Not qualifying)
Then, Swiatek will travel to Ningbo, China, and Tokyo, Japan, for another two tournaments, where she could add up to 1,000 more points to her tally. Only time will tell if she can qualify for the WTA Finals, but she’s certainly leaving no stone unturned.
Swiatek will play Chwalinska in the Wuhan Open semi-finals on Saturday, October 17. If she wins, she will play Ostapenko or Kartal in the final on Sunday, October 18.
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