Sabalenka beats Zarazua in China Open return after US Open defeat

Aryna Sabalenka opened her China Open campaign with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Mexico's Renata Zarazua, winning in 63 minutes as she returned to competition following the US Open. According to BBC Sport, the world number two struck 11 aces and went through the match without facing a break point, securing a place in the third round in Beijing.

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The result came in Sabalenka's first match since Elena Rybakina took both her US Open title and the world number one ranking in September. The 28-year-old Belarusian is seeking her first tournament title since March, when she won Indian Wells and the Miami Open in consecutive events to complete the Sunshine Double. Her opening victory in China keeps that pursuit moving.

Speaking after the match, Sabalenka discussed the demands she places on herself and her efforts to be less self-critical. BBC Sport reported that she sees her high expectations as both a source of motivation and something that can leave her short of energy. She said she was trying to learn to be easier on herself, after a season in which managing frustration on court has been a challenge.

Sabalenka will end the year without a Grand Slam singles title for the first time since 2022. Her next opponent in Beijing is Nikola Bartunkova, the 20-year-old Czech who came close to defeating her at the Berlin Open in June. Rybakina, the top seed at the WTA 1000 tournament, is due to begin her own campaign on Saturday.

Elsewhere in the women's competition, Britain's Katie Boulter lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 to Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova. French Open champion Mirra Andreeva recovered from dropping the opening set against Chinese wildcard Yuan Yue, winning 3-6 6-0 6-0. Andreeva did not concede another game after the first set.

In the men's event, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev served 12 aces in a 6-4 6-2 victory over Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta. There was also a win for Britain's Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool in the doubles: the pair advanced by beating Russia's Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4.