Sabalenka knocked out of China Open in straight sets by Nikola Bartunkova

Beijing (AP) — Second-ranked tennis player Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the third round of the China Open on Sunday by the Czech Republic's Nikola Bartunkova. The match concluded in two straight sets, with Sabalenka winning 6-4, 6-3. This result leaves the tournament without its top two seeds within the first week. Bartunkova, ranked 34th, defeated Sabalenka in under three hours.

This marks a significant setback for Sabalenka, who recently lost to Elena Rybakina at the U.S. Open and had previously never advanced past the quarterfinals at the Beijing event. Bartunkova will now face Austria's Sinja Kraus in the next round, while Sabalenka's early exit continues a disappointing start to her season.