Aryna Sabalenka defeated Renata Zarazua, 6-1, 6-3, in the second round of the 2026 China Open.
In her first match since losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka made light work of her Mexican opponent, securing her place in the third round in Beijing.
After the match, Sabalenka sent a clear message during her on-court interview, which may worry some of her biggest rivals on the WTA Tour, including Rybakina.
Aryna Sabalenka repeats that she is focused on herself after winning her opener in Beijing
“I think, first of all, wow, this is the first time I’ve seen a full crowd here in Beijing. You guys probably came to watch Novak [Djokovic], but I really enjoyed playing in front of you all. I was just trying to stay focused on myself, try to stay aggressive on my serve, and on the return as well. I’m happy with the game I played today,” said Sabalenka.
Who do you think will win the women’s singles title at the China Open this year?
“I’m always excited to come back to China to play in front of you all. Thank you so much for your love, support, incredible gifts that you always bring. I’m looking forward to my next match. I want to stay focused, focus on myself, on my game, stay aggressive, and push myself and also my opponent.”
Aryna Sabalenka vs Renata Zarazua – Match stats
| Stats | Aryna Sabalenka | Renata Zarazua |
| Aces | 11 | 0 |
| Double faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% | 84% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 88% | 50% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 71% | 44% |
| Break points | 4/8 | 0/0 |
| Total points won | 60 | 34 |
Sabalenka repeated that she was focused on herself during her on-court interview, and that was telling. During the US Open, Sabalenka was criticised for being distracted by activities outside of tennis before losing her second Grand Slam final of the year.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Grand Slam results in 2026
- Australian Open – Final (Lost to Elena Rybakina)
- French Open – Quarter-final (Lost to Diana Shnaider)
- Wimbledon – Fourth round (Lost to Naomi Osaka)
- US Open – Final (Lost to Elena Rybakina)
She lost the number-one ranking to Rybakina at Flushing Meadows, but isn’t worried about anyone else but herself as she returns to action in Beijing. A focused and determined Sabalenka is always great to watch and will scare some of her closest rivals.
Live WTA Rankings
- 1. Elena Rybakina – 9,696 points
- 2. Aryna Sabalenka 7,485 points
- 3. Jessica Pegula – 6,225 points
- 4. Coco Gauff – 5,864 points
- 5. Mirra Andreeva – 5,786 points
She could close the gap to Rybakina with a title in Beijing, but who else will she play at the China Open?
Aryna Sabalenka will play Nikola Bartunkova next at the China Open
Next up for Sabalenka is a tricky test against the Czech youngster Nikola Bartunkova. Bartunkova almost beat Sabalenka earlier this year on grass at the Berlin Open. She led 6-2, but lost the next two sets.
“What a player, what an incredible young girl, future superstar, for sure,” said Sabalenka during her post-match interview in Berlin.
“I just think that she played incredible tennis, not much I could do. She was just like smacking the ball, it was an unbelievable level. Honestly, I felt like it was her match, and I didn’t know what to do.”
Only time will tell if Bartunkova can go a step further and finish the job when she plays Sabalenka again in Beijing. Sabalenka and Bartunkova will play their third-round match on Sunday, October 4. The winner will advance to meet Sinja Kraus or Dayana Yastremska in the last 16.
