(VIDEO) Aryna Sabalenka narrowly misses ball boy after launching racquet in frustration amid Wuhan Open capitulation

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka courted controversy during her Wuhan Open semi-final defeat to Jessica Pegula with the at the time imperious 20-0 leader in this event launching her racquet and nearly hitting a ball boy.

Bidding to win it for a fourth time in as many appearances after winning it in 2018, 2019 and 2024, she was defeated by Pegula who turned it around in the final set after being 5-2 down at the Wuhan Open.

Pegula missed match points after coming back as it was sent all the way to a tie-break in the end but it was one won by Pegula 7-2. Sabalenka won the first set 6-2 but Pegula bounced back winning the second 6-4 before the comeback grew legs amid the return to the fore for Pegula.

However in the 11th game of the deciding set, Sabalenka was on the verge of defeat and lost her cool. A backhand volley was left stranded and hit just wide as Pegula had given it up and Sabalenka couldn't convert.

Raging Sabalenka proceeded to chuck her racquet as it clattered into the bench and bounced back towards the court but Sabalenka was quickly apologetic as it nearly hit a ball kid and cameraman which would've meant a default.

“The racquet goes flying and who has she hit there with the racquet?" said a commentator on Sky Sports during the incident. "That is dangerous territory for Sabalenka, this semi-final has exploded into life in the last 10 to 15 minutes. Sabalenka gets a warning for the racquet abuse, but she is lucky it is not more. Shocking behaviour.”