Aryna Sabalenka lost 4-6, 3-6 to Nikola Bartunkova in the third round of the China Open on October 4. The Czech player saved all five break points and held serve in all nine service games, completing the victory in one hour and 35 minutes. Sabalenka failed to break her opponent's serve. Following Elena Rybakina's earlier exit, the result removed another leading seed from the women's tournament.