Swiatek hits 40 wins, surpasses Serena at Wuhan Open 2026
Synopsis
Iga Swiatek didn't just win her 40th match of 2026 in Wuhan — she quietly moved past Serena Williams on the all-time WTA 1000 victories list. With Svitolina also through after saving two match points against her, both players are locked in a tense race to qualify for the season-ending WTA Finals.
Key Takeaways
Iga Swiatek defeated Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-1 at the Wuhan Open on 14 October 2026 to record her 40th win of the season .
Swiatek's 149th WTA 1000 career win moved her past Serena Williams (148) into seventh place on the all-time list.
She has now won at least 40 matches in five consecutive seasons , describing 2026 as her toughest yet.
Elina Svitolina beat Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 , saving the match after Samsonova saved two match points in the second set.
Svitolina is sixth and Swiatek 10th in the Race to the WTA Finals standings.
Iga Swiatek reached her 40th win of the 2026 season at the Wuhan Open on Wednesday, 14 October, defeating compatriot Magdalena Frech 6-2, 6-1 in 1 hour 43 minutes — while Elina Svitolina survived a three-set battle against Liudmila Samsonova to also advance to the third round. Both players remain live contenders for the season-ending WTA Finals.
Swiatek Surpasses Serena Williams on All-Time WTA 1000 List
The seventh-seeded Swiatek's victory was more than a routine win — it was a milestone. The triumph was her 149th career victory at WTA 1000 events, moving her past Serena Williams' tally of 148 to claim seventh place outright on the all-time list since the format's introduction in 2009. The Polish star has now registered at least 40 wins in five consecutive seasons, a benchmark that underlines remarkable sustained excellence at the elite level.
'I'm happy to get the first match on the center court because I didn't get a chance to play there before,' Swiatek said after the match. 'At the beginning of the match, it was point by point, but then I was happy that I started making less mistakes and I used my chances till the end of the match. For sure it was tougher than the score.'
Swiatek on Her Toughest Season Yet
Swiatek acknowledged that maintaining consistency in 2026 has been particularly demanding — more so than in previous years. Speaking candidly, she said: 'Every year has been so much different that there's no like recipe or solution. I'm happy that even though every year was different and presented different challenges, I'm able to be consistent and for sure this one has been the toughest — so still getting every win means a lot.'
Reflecting on the lessons from her challenging campaign, she added: 'Probably the biggest lesson will be that nothing will come easy. This year it's been a bit tougher. I think I will learn to have more grit and to find also little successes, not only be happy with the results, but also with the process and everything.' Swiatek will next face either Ashlyn Krueger or Lanlana Tararudee in the third round.
Svitolina Rallies from Second-Set Scare to Advance
Fifth seed Elina Svitolina required considerable mental fortitude to get past Liudmila Samsonova, eventually triumphing 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. The Ukrainian had established early dominance before Samsonova saved two match points to force a decider. Svitolina refocused in the third set to seal a convincing victory and extend her head-to-head record over the Russian to 2-0.
'It was a good match for me,' Svitolina said in her post-match interview. 'I felt like I was playing good and then she came back in the second set and I had to really step up my game in the third. I'm very happy with the way I could stay mentally tough and continue fighting.' Svitolina will next face either Katie Volynets or Hanyu Guo.
WTA Finals Race: Both Players in the Hunt
With the season drawing to a close, the Race to the WTA Finals standings make every match consequential. Svitolina currently sits sixth in the standings, placing her firmly inside the qualification zone, while Swiatek is 10th and must keep winning to secure her berth. A strong run at Wuhan could be decisive for both players' prospects heading into the season's final stretch.
Point of View
And Svitolina's nervy three-setter is a reminder that the Ukrainian, playing under immense personal and national scrutiny, draws on a different kind of resilience. A Swiatek-Svitolina deep run here would reshape the final qualification picture and set up one of the more compelling end-of-season narratives in women's tennis.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wins does Iga Swiatek have in the 2026 season?
Iga Swiatek has recorded 40 wins in the 2026 season following her victory over Magdalena Frech at the Wuhan Open on 14 October. She has now achieved at least 40 wins in five consecutive seasons.
What WTA 1000 record did Swiatek break at the Wuhan Open?
Swiatek's win over Frech was her 149th career victory at WTA 1000 events , moving her past Serena Williams' all-time record of 148 to claim seventh place on the list, which dates back to the format's introduction in 2009.
How did Elina Svitolina get through to the third round at Wuhan?
Svitolina defeated Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 in a three-set match. She had two match points in the second set before Samsonova saved both and forced a decider, but Svitolina regrouped to win the third set comfortably.
Who do Swiatek and Svitolina face in the third round at Wuhan?
Swiatek will play either Ashlyn Krueger or Lanlana Tararudee , while Svitolina faces either Katie Volynets or Hanyu Guo in the next round of the Wuhan Open.
Where do Swiatek and Svitolina stand in the Race to the WTA Finals?
As of 14 October 2026 , Svitolina sits sixth in the Race to the WTA Finals standings — inside the qualification places — while Swiatek is 10th and needs continued strong results to secure a berth at the season-ending event.
