Overview
- Aryna Sabalenka defeated Renata Zarazua 6-1, 6-3 to advance to the third round of the China Open in Beijing on Friday, October 2.
- This was Sabalenka’s first match since losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina and she said after the match that she was concentrating on herself and staying aggressive on serve and return.
- Sabalenka will next face Czech player Nikola Bartunkova, who pushed her close earlier this year at the Berlin Open, making the upcoming match a tricky test.
- A deep run in the China Open, a WTA 1000 event, offers substantial ranking points that could help Sabalenka close the gap to Rybakina in the year‑end No. 1 race.
- The match was played on Diamond Court at the National Tennis Centre in Beijing and was available to viewers via national broadcasters and WTA TV worldwide.