Top Seeds Sabalenka and Rybakina Crumble at China Open

The China Open was stripped of its two highest-ranked players on Sunday as world number one Elena Rybakina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka suffered shocking second-round defeats.

Sabalenka fell to Czech qualifier Nikola Bartunkova in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, in a match lasting one hour and 35 minutes. The 20-year-old Bartunkova, ranked 34th, served four aces to dismantle the former world number one and four-time Grand Slam champion.

Sabalenka wasted five break-point opportunities in the sixth game of the opening set but could not capitalize on her chances. After failing to break serve in the eighth game, she visibly struggled with the changing conditions as players moved between shade and sunlight. Frustration mounted throughout the second set, culminating in Sabalenka throwing her racquet during a break-point opportunity in the fourth game. She ultimately lost the match when she hit a return into the net on her first match point.

“I focused on myself, to be calm,” Bartunkova said after the victory. “She’s a legend… so I’m really happy that I won the match.” Bartunkova will now face Austria’s Sinja Kraus in the round of 16.

Earlier in the week, top-seeded Rybakina, who had recently replaced Sabalenka as world number one, was ousted by Russia’s Alina Charaeva in the second round. The double elimination leaves the event without its leading favorites.

In the men’s draw, top seed Alexander Zverev is set to face Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals later on Sunday. The 39-year-old Djokovic arrives with an impressive unbeaten record in Beijing, while Zverev, last month’s US Open champion, remains a key contender for the top men’s ranking.