Aryna Sabalenka has established herself as one of the fastest rising stars on the WTA tour in 2018. The 20-year-old has settled into the Top 20 after starting the year at No. 73.
With her first WTA Premier final showing this weekend in Wuhan, Sabalenka will, at least, rise to a new high of No. 17.
She first made a name for herself as the young player who lost to Maria Sharapova in the Tianjin final. Shortly after, representing Belarus in the Fed Cup final, she scored a three-set win over Sloane Stephens, and fought her heart out all weekend long (Belarus ultimately lost to the U.S.).