Just a day after Elena Rybakina got knocked out, Aryna Sabalenka followed her out of the China Open in Beijing. The world No. 2 lost to 20-year-old Czech Nikola Bartunkova 6-4 6-3, squandering five break points in the first set. Sabalenka, who’s never gone past the quarter-finals in this tournament, now faces a ninth consecutive tournament without a title. Meanwhile, Mirra Andreeva cruised into the fourth round, beating Polina Kudermetova 6-4 6-1. In the men’s event, top seed Carlos Alcaraz reached the Tokyo semi-finals after Denis Shapovalov retired with a hip injury. Alcaraz was leading 7-6 2-1 when the Canadian pulled out. The Spaniard, returning from a wrist injury, said it was frustrating with his serve but happy to progress. He’ll face Jaume Munar next.
