In a highly anticipated quarterfinal clash at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by Czech Karolina Muchova in a hard-fought three-set match. Muchova triumphed 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-4, ending Sabalenka’s campaign and her chance to close in further on world No. 1, Iga Świątek.
Sabalenka, who reached the same stage of the tournament last year, managed to defend her ranking points but missed a crucial opportunity to significantly reduce her gap to the top. Świątek, who won the event last year, did not compete this time, citing personal reasons.
Świątek Still on Top, Sabalenka’s Pursuit Continues
Despite the loss, Sabalenka will narrow the points gap to Świątek, though it will not be enough to overtake her at the top of the WTA rankings. After the Beijing results are factored in, the difference between the two players will stand at 1,069 points. With Świątek skipping the upcoming Wuhan Open, Sabalenka has a chance to gain up to 1,000 points. However, she will remain behind the Polish star ahead of the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, where the year-end No. 1 ranking could be decided.
Muchova’s victory also marked the end of Sabalenka’s impressive 15-match winning streak. The Czech player moves on to the semifinals, where she will face either rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva or China’s Qinwen Zheng. The other semifinal features American sensation Coco Gauff against Spain’s Paula Badosa.
Polish Players Struggle in Beijing
Meanwhile, Poland’s Magda Linette and Magdalena Fręch both exited the tournament earlier in the round of 16, leaving no Polish representation in the later stages.
Quarterfinal Result:
Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic) def. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus, 1) 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-4.
