Nikola Bartunkova knocked Aryna Sabalenka out of the Beijing WTA 1000 in the third round on Sunday, October 4. The 20-year-old Czech won 6–4, 6–3 in 95 minutes and will face Austria's Sinja Kraus in the round of 16.
Ranked No. 34 and seeded 26th, Bartunkova finished without dropping serve. Second seed Sabalenka had five break opportunities, all in the same first-set game, and could not convert any of them.
One hold that protected the lead
Bartunkova broke in the opening game. Her toughest test came when serving at 3–2: she had to erase all five break points to stay ahead. She then held her final two service games of the set to love to secure it 6–4.
In the second set, the Czech moved 3–1 ahead and did not face a break point. Another break in the ninth game ended the contest. She converted three of the eight chances she created overall.
The China Open report highlights another serving figure: Bartunkova won 24 of 29 points behind her first serve. Both players hit four aces. Official WTA highlights capture the key moments of her victory.
A different outcome in their rematch
In June's Berlin quarterfinals, Sabalenka had rallied past Bartunkova 2–6, 7–6(2), 6–4 on grass. This time, the Czech protected her lead and earned her second career win over a Top 10 opponent.
Next comes Kraus, who advanced with a 6–1, 6–4 win over Dayana Yastremska. Bartunkova has reached the last 16 of a WTA 1000 for the second time, matching the stage she reached in Rome this season.
Sabalenka's exit comes a day after top seed Elena Rybakina's defeat. Neither of Beijing's top two seeds will feature in the round of 16.
