Aryna Sabalenková suffered a shock when leaving the China Open, losing to Nikola Bartunková in two sets

Aryna Sabalenka (AP Photo) World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenková suffered a third-round shock at the China Open on Sunday, losing 6:4, 6:3 to Czech Nikola Bartunková. Bartunková, ranked 34th, caused one of the biggest upsets of the tournament when she defeated the four-time Grand Slam champion in one hour and 34 minutes. The Czech hit four aces and capitalized on Sabalenkova’s fightback to seal the straight-set victory.Sabalenkova had five break opportunities in the opening set, but was unable to convert any of them. Meanwhile, Bartunk stayed level on big points and secured the only break she needed to take the first set 6-4.The Czech continued to dictate the match in the second set, breaking Sabalenkova and holding on to close out the match at 6-3. The defeat continues Sabalenkova’s difficult record at the tournament in Beijing. Belarus has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the China Open.

The top two seeds are now out

Sabalenkova came to Beijing to bounce back from a disappointing US Open where Elena Rybakina denied her a third straight title. However, Rybakina herself suffered a surprise defeat earlier in Beijing when she lost to unseeded Alina Charaeva in the second round.The early exits of the top two seeds mean that neither Rybakina nor Sabalenka will play in the latter stages of the WTA 1000. The China Open is played on hard courts in Beijing from September 30 to October 11. Bartunková will next face Austrian Sinja Kraus, who defeated Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-1, 6-4.The Czech will now have the opportunity to extend her breakthrough run in Beijing after defeating one of the tournament’s biggest names.In the men’s draw, top seed Alexander Zverev will face Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Djokovic reached the last 16 after maintaining a perfect record at the China Open, while Zverev entered the clash after going through his share of the draw.