The China Open field lost its top two seeds on Sunday after second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the third round. The 28-year-old Belarusian fell to 20-year-old Czech player Nikola Bartunkova, who secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory in one hour and 35 minutes. Bartunkova, ranked 34th, maintained composure throughout the match, landing four aces to upset the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Reflecting on the win, Bartunkova noted, “I focused on myself, to be calm.” She expressed admiration for her opponent, stating, “She’s a legend… so I’m really happy that I won the match.” Bartunkova now advances to the round of 16, where she will compete against Austria’s Sinja Kraus.
The match saw Sabalenka struggle to convert opportunities, including five missed break points in the sixth game of the opening set. Despite attempting to adjust to the shifting conditions between shade and sun by wearing a cap, the Belarusian could not shift the momentum. Her frustration mounted in the second set, culminating in a racquet toss before she ultimately lost on match point by hitting a return into the net. But it did not turn the tide in her favour, the 28-year-old from Belarus threw on a cap for the eighth game of the first set as the women switched between playing in the shade and the sun.
The tournament now continues without its top seeds, as world number one Elena Rybakina was also defeated in the second round by Alina Charaeva on Saturday. Meanwhile, the men’s 500-level draw remains active, with a quarterfinal showdown set for Sunday between top seed Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic.
The upcoming match carries significant weight, as the 39-year-old Serbian enters with a long-standing unbeaten record in Beijing. Zverev, who claimed the US Open title last month, remains a strong contender as he pursues the top spot in the men’s world rankings.
