Sabalenka Knocked Out of China Open in Straight Sets by Nikola Bartunkova
Bartunkova’s defense and four aces helped end Sabalenka’s run, leaving the China Open without its top two seeds, officials said.
- On Sunday, Nikola Bartunkova upset second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 at the China Open in Beijing, marking a significant breakthrough in the Czech player's season.
- World number one Elena Rybakina exited the tournament Saturday, falling to Alena Charaeva in the second round, leaving the event without its top two seeds for the first time since 2015.
- Sabalenka failed to convert any of her five break point opportunities and threw her racquet after falling behind in the second set. Her frustration cost her the match.
- "I focused on myself, to be calm," said Bartunkova, who advances to face Austria's Sinja Kraus in the round of 16.
- Meanwhile, top seed Alexander Zverev is scheduled to face Novak Djokovic later on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the men's 500-level event also taking place in Beijing.
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98 Articles
Sabalenka knocked out of China Open in straight sets by Bartunkova, Djokovic outlasts Zverev
Second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka was bundled out in the third round of the China Open in straight sets by the Czech Republic's Nikola Bartunkova on Sunday. In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic maintained his perfect record at the tournament with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over U.S. Open champion Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals.
LancasterOnline
BEIJING (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the third round of the Chinese Open by losing Sunday in straight sets to Czech Nikola Bartunkova.
Aryna Sabalenka suffers yet another setback, makes shock exit at China Open
Aryna Sabalenka's difficult 2026 continued as she suffered a shock 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Nikola Bartunkova at the China Open. The loss extends Sabalenka's title drought since March, with the Belarusian also losing the No. 1 ranking and failing to win a Grand Slam this year.
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