In a surprising turn of events at the China Open in Beijing, world number two Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated just a day after the tournament’s top seed, world number one Elena Rybakina, suffered an early defeat. The Belarusian, who entered the event with high expectations, was dispatched by Czech teenager Nikola Bartüková, a 20-year-old who has already made a name for herself by claiming four Grand Slam titles in the past. Bartüková secured a straight‑sets victory, 6-4, 6-3, sending a clear signal that the competition in the opening week of the WTA 1000 event would be far from predictable.
Rybakina's loss on Saturday had already left the tournament without its two highest‑ranked players, and Sabalenka's exit on Sunday cemented the unexpected nature of this year's Beijing draw. The Belarusian, who had been denied a three‑peat at the US Open by Rybakina just a month earlier, struggled from the start, squandering five break‑point chances in the first set and ultimately failing to find her rhythm on serve. Her performance in Beijing has been marked by inconsistency; she has never advanced beyond the quarter‑finals at this particular event, and this year proved no different.
Bartüková, seeded 26th, will now face Austria's 24‑year‑old Sinja Kraus in the next round. Kraus earned her place by defeating Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4 earlier on Sunday, showcasing a powerful baseline game that could pose a fresh challenge for the Czech. Meanwhile, the tournament's fifth seed, Mirra Andreeva, cruised into the fourth round with a dominant 6-4, 6-1 win over Polina Kudermetova.
Andreeva displayed a formidable serving performance, delivering six aces and converting five of seven break‑point opportunities, and wrapped up the match in just 68 minutes. The men’s side of the competition also featured noteworthy developments.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz progressed to the semi‑finals of the Japan Open after his opponent, Denis Shapovalov, was forced to retire because of a hip injury. Alcaraz, who has been making a strong comeback after a four‑month lay‑off due to a wrist injury, was leading 7-6 (7-4), 2-1 when Shapovalov withdrew. Despite the victory, Alcaraz expressed frustration with his own service game, noting that he struggled to find a reliable rhythm and dropped serve three times in the opening set. He praised the quality of points and rallies in the first set, yet lamented the circumstances of his advancement, acknowledging that a win by retirement does not feel entirely satisfying.
Alcaraz also voiced concern for Shapovalov, hoping the Canadian would recover in time for the upcoming Shanghai Masters. "It's a shame that he had to pull out. Going through to a semi‑final like this is not the way I wanted, but sometimes sports are tough. You have to accept it.
Hopefully he's going to be able to play in Shanghai healthy," Alcaraz said. In the semi‑finals, the Spanish star will meet fellow countryman Jaume Munar, who earned his spot by defeating France's Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2. The China Open continues to draw attention not only for its on‑court drama but also for its broadcast options.
Fans can stream the action live via NOW and the Sky Sports App, which provide coverage of both the WTA and ATP events, including the parallel ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters. The availability of these platforms ensures that tennis enthusiasts worldwide can follow the unfolding stories, from unexpected upsets to the steady march of seasoned champions.
Overall, the early exits of both Rybakina and Sabalenka underscore the depth of talent present on the WTA tour today. Younger players like Bartüková are increasingly capable of challenging the established elite, and their breakthroughs add an exciting layer of unpredictability to the sport. As the tournament moves forward, all eyes will be on the remaining seeds and emerging contenders to see who can capitalize on the open draw and perhaps claim a surprise title in Beijing.