The China Open witnessed another major upset as world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out in the third round by Czechia’s Nikola Bartunkova. The 20-year-old, ranked 34th in the world and seeded 26th, produced a composed performance to defeat the former world No. 1 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes. Bartunkova fired four aces and managed to secure the biggest win of her career despite landing fewer than half of her first serves. Her victory came just a day after world No. 1 Elena Rybakina was also eliminated from the Beijing tournament, making it a surprising weekend for the top two seeds.
Aryna Sabalenka Knocked Out of China Open in Third-Round Upset
Nikola Bartunkova produced the biggest upset of her China Open campaign by sending second seed Aryna Sabalenka crashing out in the third round. The Czech 26th seed, ranked a career-best No. 34, defeated the former world No. 1 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes. The result came just a day after top seed Elena Rybakina was also eliminated, meaning neither of the women’s top two seeds reached the last 16 in Beijing for the first time since 2015.
Bartunkova made the perfect start, breaking Sabalenka in the opening game before being tested heavily on serve later in the set. The 20-year-old saved all five break points she faced in the sixth game to preserve her 4-2 advantage. Sabalenka was unable to make the most of three chances to immediately level the contest, and Bartunkova stayed composed through the closing stages to take the first set 6-4.
The Czech continued to dictate the match in the second set, breaking early to move 3-1 ahead. Sabalenka struggled to find a response as Bartunkova protected her serve throughout the set and did not face a single break point. Another break in the ninth game gave Bartunkova the opportunity to serve out the match, which she did at the first opportunity when Sabalenka returned into the net.
What’s Next for Bartunkova After Her Biggest China Open Win?
The victory marked Bartunkova’s second career win over a Top 10 opponent, following her victory against Belinda Bencic at the 2026 Australian Open. It also took her season tally to 22 wins, including 16 on hard courts. Sabalenka, meanwhile, continued a difficult trend after losing the opening set, suffering her sixth consecutive defeat in matches where she has dropped the first set. The four-time Grand Slam champion also failed to convert any of her five break-point opportunities.
Bartunkova will now face Austria’s Sinja Kraus in the China Open round of 16 after Kraus defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4. The Czech holds a 1-0 record against Kraus, having beaten her in Hechingen in 2025. Despite the disappointing exit, Sabalenka has already secured her place at the WTA Finals and has enjoyed a strong 2026 season, highlighted by her Indian Wells and Miami Open titles. However, the Beijing defeat adds another setback to a year in which she has yet to win a Grand Slam.
