Nikola Bartunkova beat Aryna Sabalenka 6–4, 6–3 in Beijing’s third round on October 4, 2026. Saving five break points in the sixth game of set one to hold for 4–2 proved a pivotal passage.
Bartunkova had broken in the opening game. After holding for 4–2, she missed three chances to extend the break advantage, but won her next two service games to love to take the set. All five of Sabalenka’s break opportunities came in that earlier service game.
In set two, Bartunkova broke for 3–1 and again in the ninth game to finish. She faced no break points in that set and converted three of eight opportunities across the match, completing the win in 1 hour and 35 minutes.
The 26th seed reached her second WTA 1000 fourth round after Rome. Next came Sinja Kraus, a 6–1, 6–4 winner over Dayana Yastremska. Bartunkova had won their earlier meeting in Hechingen in 2025.
