Billionaire tennis star poised for another massive payout after dramatic Wuhan Open clash

Jessica Pegula, the world's wealthiest tennis player, is set to boost her billionaire fortune after a thrilling semi-final victory over Aryna Sabalenka at the Wuhan Open.

The 31-year-old American has secured herself a minimum of £260k by reaching the tournament's final after an intense final set. Pegula triumphed in a tense match with Sabalenka, bouncing back from a first-set loss of 6-2 to win the next two sets 6-4, 7-6, setting up her spot in the final where she'll go head-to-head with fellow American Coco Gauff tomorrow.

While she hasn't yet claimed a Grand Slam title, she boasts an impressive estimated net worth of $15million (£11.3m) and could pocket an additional £442k if she defeats Gauff in the final.

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Pegula is also poised to inherit a staggering fortune from her father, oil tycoon Terry Pegula, who has a reported net worth of $7billion (£5.4bn), ranking him as the 373rd richest person worldwide, according to Forbes.

Her 73-year-old father, owner of the NFL's Buffalo Billsand the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, also possesses a jaw-dropping $76m (£56.9m) superyacht named Top Five II, which his children are expected to inherit.

Despite her father's immense wealth, Pegula has carved out her own extraordinary career and currently holds the sixth rank in the world.

She defeated Hailey Baptiste in the round of 32, before overcoming Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 16.

Pegula staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first set to Katerina Siniakova 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, setting up a semi-final showdown with Belarusian Sabalenka.

In a dramatic turn of events, Pegula overcame a 5-2 deficit in the third and final set to secure victory over the world number one in the semi-final.

It also broke her streak of four consecutive losses to Sabalenka.

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