Beijing, Oct 5:
Czech Republic’s Nikola Bartunkova produced one of the biggest upsets of the China Open by sending second seed Aryna Sabalenka crashing out in straight sets in the third round on Sunday.
The 34th-ranked Bartunkova defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 6-3 in a little over 90 minutes, joining an elite group of players to register a major upset against one of the WTA Tour’s leading stars.
Sabalenka’s early exit means neither of the tournament’s top two seeds remains in the competition. World No. 1 Elena Rybakina had been eliminated a day earlier, leaving the WTA 1000 event in Beijing without its two highest-ranked players during the opening week.
Sabalenka had opportunities to take control but could not convert five break points in the opening set. Her difficulties in Beijing continued, with the Belarusian yet to advance beyond the quarter-finals at the tournament.
Bartunkova, meanwhile, maintained her composure against a player with four Grand Slam titles. She said her focus was on staying calm and acknowledged the magnitude of defeating Sabalenka.
The Czech will next meet Austria’s Sinja Kraus, who defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4. Fifth seed Mirra Andreeva also advanced, beating Polina Kudermetova 6-4, 6-1 after hitting six aces and converting five of seven break-point opportunities.
In the men’s draw, Hubert Hurkacz reached the semi-finals with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory over Karen Khachanov.