BEIJING — World number two Aryna Sabalenka opened her China Open campaign with a clinical 6-1 6-3 victory over Mexico's Renata Zarazua, needing just 63 minutes to advance without facing a break point. The 28-year-old hit 11 aces in her first match since losing her world number one ranking and her US Open crown to Elena Rybakina in September.
Sabalenka, who is bidding for her first title since completing the 'Sunshine Double' with back-to-back wins at Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March, admitted she has struggled to manage self-expectation during a mixed year by her high standards. She will finish without a Grand Slam trophy for the first time since 2022 and has often struggled to control her frustrations on court. "I think this is a good and a bad side of my personality, that I always ask and wait for more from myself," Sabalenka said. "Sometimes it can drive me forward, but sometimes it can really drain my energy. Maybe this is something I have to finally learn. I'm really trying so hard sometimes to be easier on myself."
The Belarusian will next face Czech 20-year-old Nikola Bartunkova in the third round, a player who came close to beating her at the Berlin Open in June. Top seed Rybakina begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 event on Saturday.
Elsewhere in Beijing, Britain's Katie Boulter fell 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 to Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva recovered to beat Chinese wildcard Yuan Yue 3-6 6-0 6-0. In the men's event, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev produced 12 aces to beat Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 6-2, and British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool advanced in doubles with a 6-3 6-4 win over Russia's Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov.