Lulu Sun has fought back from being a set down to beat America’s Caty McNally in the quarterfinals of the WTA 250 tournament in Guangzhou, China. She won the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 57 minutes, to make this the fifth time this year she’s won a match after losing the first set.

This victory makes it 12 wins from her last 14 matches since the US Open. The Kiwi had six break points in the first set of this match, but it was McNally who got the only break in it. She then got the solitary break of serve in the second set.

Sun finds rhythm in decisive third set

At deuce and 2-2 in the deciding set, Sun landed a peach of a return at full stretch to her right to hit a winner, then on the next point crushed a crosscourt backhand to take the game. With McNally serving at 3-5, Sun had a match point but went slightly too long when attempting to put a forehand winner into the corner.

In the following game, Sun raced out to a 40-0 lead for three more match points. However she wasn’t able to convert any of them as McNally got the game back to deuce. Sun won the next point with an ace and thought she had clinched the match with another ace on her fifth match point.

Drama on match point before final victory

But after pumping the air with her fist, the umpire said the serve had clipped the net cord. She was able to regather her composure and eventually took the match when McNally overhit the ball at the end of a long rally.

The win puts Sun into the semifinal of a WTA 250 level tournament or above for the first time this year. In that semifinal, she will play against the winner of the match between Claire Liu from the States, who is ranked 305, and the world number 96 Ella Seidel from Germany.

Return to top 100 appears secured

But by getting this far, Sun should have already done enough this week to get herself back into the top 100 in the world rankings. The ranking improvement represents a significant milestone after her strong run of form following the US Open.

Sun’s ability to win from a set down continues to be a hallmark of her game this season. The five comeback victories demonstrate mental toughness and resilience that serves her well in tight matches. Her recent form, winning 12 of 14 matches, suggests she has found consistency at this level.

McNally pushed Sun throughout contest

McNally made Sun work for the victory, particularly in the first set where she successfully defended against multiple break point opportunities. The American’s ability to save match points and extend games in the third set showed her own competitive spirit, even as she ultimately prevailed.

The match featured several momentum swings, with each player holding serve comfortably at times before facing pressure. Sun’s ability to execute key shots at crucial moments, including the full stretch return and crosscourt backhand winner in the third set, proved decisive.

Semifinal opponent still to be determined

The upcoming semifinal represents another opportunity for Sun to continue her strong finish to the season. Whether facing Liu or Seidel, Sun will enter as the higher ranked player with momentum on her side. The ranking positions of her potential opponents suggest Sun should be favored, though neither player should be underestimated at this stage of a tournament.

Liu’s ranking of 305 indicates she has likely received a wildcard or come through qualifying, making her run to the semifinals particularly impressive. Seidel at 96 sits just outside the top 100, similar to where Sun has been positioned recently.

Guangzhou success boosts year end push

For Sun, this tournament performance provides valuable ranking points and match play as the season winds down. Reaching her first WTA 250 semifinal of the year at this stage keeps her season trajectory pointing upward and sets up well for upcoming events.

The combination of improved ranking, strong recent form and growing confidence in comeback situations positions Sun well heading into the remainder of the season. Her performance in Guangzhou demonstrates she belongs at this level and can compete effectively even when facing early set deficits.