NowWire · AI-assisted reporting summary · October 4, 2026 UTC
World number two Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprise defeat at the China Open, falling in straight sets to 34th-ranked Nikola Bartunkova in Beijing. The 6-4, 6-3 loss comes just a day after top seed Elena Rybakina was knocked out of the WTA 1000 tournament by Alina Charaeva. [1] [2]
The early exits mark the first time since 2015 that the top two seeds have failed to reach the round of 16 at the event. Bartunkova advanced to face Austria's Sinja Kraus in the next round. [1] [2]
Sources
- China Open: Aryna Sabalenka stunned by Nikola Bartunkova in Beijing — 2026-10-04T07:30:23.505Z
- China Open: Aryna Sabalenka suffers shock Beijing exit — a day after new world No 1 Elena Rybakina was knocked out — 2026-10-04T07:58:00+0000
