In a surprising turn of events at the China Open in Beijing, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka suffered an early defeat, mirroring the fate of world No. 1 Elena Rybakina just a day earlier.
The Belarusian, who entered the tournament as one of the top seeds, was eliminated in the second round by Czech teenager Nikola Bartúnkova, a rising 20‑year‑old who dispatched the four‑time Grand Slam champion with a straight‑sets victory of 6-4, 6-3. This outcome leaves the WTA 1000 event without its two highest‑ranked players in the opening week, a rare occurrence that has reshaped the dynamics of the draw.
Rybakina's exit on Saturday had already sent shockwaves through the tournament, and Sabalenka's loss on Sunday confirmed a dramatic shift in the competition’s landscape. Bartúnkova, seeded 26th, will now move on to face Austria's 24‑year‑old Sinja Kraus, who herself recorded a convincing 6-1, 6-4 win over Dayana Yastremska earlier in the day. The young Czech's performance against Sabalenka highlighted her composure under pressure, as she capitalised on five break‑point opportunities while the Belarusian struggled to find rhythm on her serve. Sabalenka, who was denied a historic three‑peat at the US Open by Rybakina just a month prior, seemed unable to shake off the lingering nerves that have plagued her recent outings in Beijing.
The 28‑year‑old Belarusian squandered five break points in the first set and failed to convert any of her own chances, ultimately succumbing to Bartúnkova’s aggressive baseline play. Notably, Sabalenka has never advanced beyond the quarter‑finals at the China Open, a fact that underscores the difficulty she faces on the hard courts of the capital. The tournament’s other top‑seeded players also posted mixed results.
Fifth seed Mirra Andreeva cruised into the fourth round with a dominant 6-4, 6-1 victory over Polina Kudermetova, firing six aces and converting five of seven break‑point chances in just 68 minutes. Meanwhile, the men’s draw saw Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz progress to the semi‑finals of the Japan Open after Canadian Denis Shapovalov retired with a hip injury while trailing 7-6 (7-4), 2-1. Alcaraz, who is returning from a four‑month layoff due to a wrist injury, expressed frustration with his serving performance, noting that he dropped his serve three times in the opening set.
Nevertheless, he praised his resilience after each break and remained optimistic about the remainder of his campaign. Alcaraz’s semi‑final opponent will be fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar, who earned his place by defeating France’s Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2.
Alcaraz also commented on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Shapovalov’s withdrawal, acknowledging that advancing under such conditions was not ideal but emphasizing the unpredictable nature of sport. He expressed hope that Shapovalov would recover in time for the upcoming Shanghai Masters. The early exits of the top two women’s seeds have opened the door for lower‑ranked players to make deeper runs in Beijing. Bartúnkova’s victory over Sabalenka not only marks a personal milestone for the young Czech but also serves as a reminder that the WTA tour is increasingly competitive, with emerging talents capable of challenging established stars.
Her next match against Kraus promises to be a compelling contest between two players eager to capitalize on the sudden vacuum at the top of the draw. Beyond the immediate results, the broader narrative of the China Open this week reflects a shifting balance of power in women’s tennis. The dominance of a few top players appears to be waning, as injuries, form fluctuations, and the rise of new contenders create a more open field.
For Sabalenka, the loss may serve as a catalyst to reassess her game plan and address the serving inconsistencies that have plagued her in recent tournaments. For Rybakina, the earlier defeat underscores the fine margins at the elite level, where even a world‑number‑one can be vulnerable on any given day. Fans can continue to follow the unfolding drama through live streams on NOW and the Sky Sports App, which provide coverage of both the WTA and ATP events, including the upcoming Shanghai Masters. The combination of unexpected upsets and high‑quality tennis ensures that the Asian swing of the tour remains one of the most exciting phases of the season.