Aryna Sabalenka faced a disappointing exit from the China Open on Sunday, as she was defeated in straight sets by Nikola Bartunkova in the third round, marking the elimination of both top seeds from the tournament.

Bartunkova, currently ranked 34th in the world, showcased her skills by delivering four aces and securing a 6-4, 6-3 victory over the former world No. 1 in just one hour and 35 minutes. “I concentrated on my game and remained calm,” Bartunkova remarked. “She’s a legend, so I’m really thrilled to have won this match.” The 20-year-old athlete will advance to the round of 16, where she will compete against Austria’s Sinja Kraus.

In the first set, Sabalenka, seeded second, missed five break opportunities during the sixth game, with Bartunkova demonstrating solid defensive play and hitting deep shots. The 28-year-old Belarusian donned a cap during the eighth game as both players navigated the varying sunlight conditions, but it did not shift the momentum in her favor.

Frustration grew for Sabalenka as she tossed her racket after falling behind in the fourth game of the second set, ultimately losing the match on the first match point when her return went into the net. Meanwhile, the top seed, Elena Rybakina, who recently took over Sabalenka’s position as world No. 1, was eliminated by Alina Charaeva in the second round on Saturday.

Later on Sunday, top seed Alexander Zverev was set to face Novak Djokovic in the men’s quarter-finals. The 39-year-old Serbian star entered the match with an impressive unbeaten record in Beijing, while Zverev was vying for the top spot in the men’s rankings.