Aryna Sabalenka suffered another early setback at the China Open as the second seed was stunned by Czech Republic’s Nikola Bartunkova in straight sets on Sunday, while Carlos Alcaraz moved into the Japan Open semifinals after Denis Shapovalov was forced to retire with an injury.
Bartunkova, ranked No. 34 in the world, produced a composed performance to defeat the four-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 6-3 in just over 90 minutes.
Sabalenka’s exit means both top two seeds at the WTA 1000 event in Beijing are already out, with newly crowned world No. 1 Elena Rybakina having suffered an upset defeat on Saturday.
Bartunkova Stuns Sabalenka In Beijing
Sabalenka struggled to make the most of her opportunities against Bartunkova, particularly in the opening set. The Belarusian squandered five break-point chances as the Czech player remained composed in the key moments before taking the set 6-4.
Bartunkova continued to dictate the contest in the second set and secured another break to establish control. Sabalenka could not find a way back into the match as the Czech completed one of the biggest wins of her career with a 6-3 second-set victory.
The defeat continues Sabalenka’s difficult history at the China Open. The 28-year-old has never gone beyond the quarterfinals of the Beijing tournament.
Her latest loss also comes just weeks after she was denied a third consecutive US Open title by Rybakina. With Rybakina and Sabalenka now both eliminated, the China Open has lost its top two seeds during the opening week.
Bartunkova will face Austria’s Sinja Kraus in the fourth round. Kraus defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4.
Alcaraz Reaches Japan Open Semifinals
Meanwhile, defending champion and top seed Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the last four of the Japan Open, although the Spaniard’s quarterfinal ended prematurely.
Alcaraz was leading Shapovalov 7-6(3), 2-1 after 82 minutes when the Canadian was forced to retire because of an injury. Shapovalov had pushed Alcaraz hard in a tense opening set before the Spaniard eventually edged the tiebreak.
The Canadian appeared to hurt his hip or groin area early in the second set while stretching for a running forehand. After receiving medical attention away from the court, he returned but was visibly restricted and eventually could not continue.
Alcaraz had also impressed at the Laver Cup last week, helping Europe claim the trophy with a singles victory over Taylor Fritz. The Spaniard is now one win away from another Japan Open final.
Alcaraz To Face Munar In Semifinal
Alcaraz will meet fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in the semifinal. Munar booked his place in the last four after defeating French qualifier Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2.
The other major action in the men’s China Open is set to feature top seed and US Open champion Alexander Zverev against six-time champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Djokovic entered the match with a perfect 31-0 career record at the Beijing tournament.