Aryna Sabalenka, seeded second, advanced to the WTA 1000 Beijing tournament after defeating Renata Zarazua 6-1, 6-3 on Friday, October 2, 2026. This marked her first competitive match since the US Open final on September 12, which she lost to Elena Rybakina. Currently ranked second in the world, Sabalenka was granted a bye in the first round, allowing her to skip the initial match and enter the third round directly. The WTA 1000 Beijing is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the women's tennis circuit, offering significant prize money and ranking points. Sabalenka's performance in the match against Zarazua demonstrated her readiness to compete at a high level after a challenging loss at the US Open. Her victory was relatively straightforward, with minimal resistance from Zarazua, who is ranked much lower in the world rankings. In the third round, Sabalenka is set to face Nikola Bartunkova on Sunday. The two players previously met in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 Berlin in June, where Bartunkova gave Sabalenka a tough battle before losing 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 after 2 hours and 23 minutes of play. That match was notable for its intensity and the high level of competition, with both players showing strong performances throughout. Sabalenka's upcoming match against Bartunkova will be a rematch of their previous encounter and an opportunity for her to continue her strong performance in the WTA 1000 Beijing tournament. With her ranking and recent form, Sabalenka is expected to be a strong contender in the competition, aiming to build on her victory over Zarazua and progress further in the tournament.