China Open Shock: How Nikola Bartunkova Defeated Aryna Sabalenka

Nikola Bartunkova stunned world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 in the third round of the China Open in Beijing on Sunday, Oct. 4, sending the four-time Grand Slam champion out of the WTA 1000 tournament after 1 hour and 35 minutes.

The 20-year-old Czech, ranked No. 34 in the world and seeded 26th in Beijing, produced a composed performance against one of the tour’s most powerful players. The result marked one of the tournament’s biggest upsets and gave Bartunkova a major breakthrough on the Beijing stage.

How Bartunkova Took Control

Bartunkova’s composure under pressure proved crucial as Sabalenka struggled to capitalize on her opportunities.

Sabalenka had five break points in the sixth game of the opening set but failed to convert any of them. Bartunkova defended strongly, repeatedly pushed the ball deep and eventually held for a 4-2 lead. She then protected the advantage to take the first set 6-4.

Bartunkova won 82% of her first-serve points and converted three of eight break-point chances, while Sabalenka failed to convert any of the five break points she earned.

Bartunkova also matched Sabalenka with four aces and never dropped serve.

Sabalenka Could Not Find A Way Back

Bartunkova maintained her control in the second set, keeping Sabalenka from building any sustained momentum.

Bartunkova broke early in the second set to move ahead 3-1 and maintained the advantage. Sabalenka struggled to mount a comeback before sending a return into the net on Bartunkova’s first match point, sealing the upset.

She later explained that her approach was deliberately simple. “First of all, I focused on myself, to be calm.”

She added that Sabalenka was “a legend” and said she was “really happy” to have beaten the four-time Grand Slam champion.

A Different Ending From Their Berlin Meeting

The Beijing victory also took on added significance because of their previous meeting. Bartunkova had already pushed Sabalenka to the brink at the Berlin Tennis Open in June. She led 6-2, 4-0 in their quarterfinal before Sabalenka produced a remarkable comeback and won 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.

This time, Bartunkova capitalized on her chances and held firm on serve to complete the straight-sets victory.

The result gives Bartunkova another major breakthrough in 2026. Earlier this year, she defeated then-No. 10 Belinda Bencic at the Australian Open, and she has now added the world No. 2 to her list of top-level wins.

What Sabalenka’s Exit Means

The defeat adds to Sabalenka’s modest record in Beijing, where she has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals and exits in the third round this year.

The loss also comes after Sabalenka’s runner-up finish at the US Open, where she lost to Rybakina. Rybakina then rose to No. 1 before suffering her own China Open upset against Alina Charaeva on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Bartunkova will next face Austria’s Sinja Kraus in the round of 16. Kraus defeated Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4 earlier Sunday.