Great Britain's Sonay Kartal reached the last-32 at the China Open in Beijing, building on her quarter-final run from 2025. After slipping to 129 in the world due to injury and missing most of the season, Kartal returned with a clinical performance, recording 12 winners against Wang and converting five of 14 break points. She previously retired injured from a match against Rybakina at Indian Wells in March.
In other results, Rybakina was upset by unseeded Charaeva, while British teammate Harriet Dart pushed 10th seed Iva Jovic to three sets before losing 2-6 6-3 6-3. Alexander Zverev maintained his strong form, setting up a quarter-final clash with Novak Djokovic. The 29-year-old German could rise to world number one for the first time if he wins both the China Open and Shanghai Masters.
Djokovic, 39, has won the China Open six times and remains unbeaten at the Beijing event. Zverev's chances improved after world number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to a knee injury. Sinner has not played since beating Zverev in the Wimbledon final in July.
Meanwhile, world number three Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the Japan Open quarter-finals, saving four set points in the first set against Matteo Arnaldi before winning 7-6 (8-6) 6-1.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing