Beijing, China – World number two Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated from the China Open on 4/10, losing to Nikola Bartunkova 4-6, 3-6 in the third round. This defeat follows world number one Elena Rybakina's exit a day earlier, leaving the WTA 1000 tournament without its top two players before the round of 16.

Sabalenka, 28, struggled against Bartunkova, a 20-year-old Czech player ranked 34th globally and seeded 26th. Playing on Capital Group Diamond court, the Belarusian player won no return games, with Bartunkova defeating her in one hour 35 minutes. Bartunkova displayed consistency, saving all five break points she faced and winning all nine of her service games. While Sabalenka landed 71% of her first serves, she won only 54% of points from them, in contrast to Bartunkova's 82%.

Sabalenka returns a shot during her third-round match against Bartunkova at the China Open, on Diamond Court at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China on 4/10/2026. *Photo: AP*

The match's pivotal moment occurred in the sixth game of the first set. After dropping her opening service game, Sabalenka had five opportunities to break back but could not convert any. Bartunkova capitalized, maintaining her lead and winning two subsequent service games to secure the first set. In the second set, Bartunkova broke serve again for a 3-1 advantage and faced no break points. Sabalenka could not alter the match's direction, losing another service game before her defeat.

Sabalenka expressed frustration, throwing her racket in the second set. She also wore a hat from late in the first set to adapt to the changing light conditions on court. Despite this adjustment, the world number two could not improve her performance. Sabalenka acknowledged Bartunkova's strong movement and serve, attributing her own struggles to ineffective return play under the varying light. This victory evens Bartunkova's head-to-head record against Sabalenka to 1-1, avenging a 6-2, 6-7(2), 4-6 loss in the Berlin quarterfinals in 6/2026.

This defeat extends Sabalenka's wait for a title since winning both Indian Wells and Miami Open earlier in the season. Last month, she lost to Rybakina in the US Open final, ceding her world number one ranking to the Kazakh player.

However, Rybakina's reign as world number one at the China Open was short-lived. In her first match holding the top WTA ranking, she lost to Alina Charaeva 6-3, 4-6, 3-6. Rybakina later stated she lacked sufficient recovery time after the US Open, and experienced recurring foot discomfort. The combined early exits of the world's top two players mark a significant upset for the tournament.

Vy Anh