World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat at the China Open in Beijing on Sunday, losing 6-4 6-3 to 20-year-old Nikola Bartunkova. The loss came a day after world No 1 Elena Rybakina was also knocked out, leaving the WTA 1000 event without its two top seeds in the opening week. Sabalenka, who was denied a US Open three-peat by Rybakina last month, struggled throughout, failing to convert five break points in the opening set. The 28-year-old Belarusian has never advanced beyond the quarter-finals at the tournament.
Bartunkova, the No 26 seed, will next face Austria's Sinja Kraus, who defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-1 6-4. Meanwhile, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva advanced comfortably with a 6-4 6-1 win over Polina Kudermetova, firing six aces and converting five of seven break-point opportunities.
In other news, top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Japan Open after Denis Shapovalov retired with a hip injury. Alcaraz, leading 7-6 (7-4) 2-1 at the time, will face compatriot Jaume Munar next.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing