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Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka managed to overcome Mexican Renata Zarazua 6-1 and 6-3, armed with 11 aces, at the start of her campaign in search of the China Open WTA 1000 title last Friday.
The world number two faces Czech Nikola Bartunkova in the second round.
Sabalenka qualified despite a number of unforced errors during the 62-minute match, as she clearly outperformed the 94th-ranked Mexican Zarazua, breaking her serve to seal the match on her second match point.
The 28-year-old said, "I was just trying to focus on myself, and I tried to stay aggressive offensively on my serve and on my return as well."
She added, "I am very happy with the level I presented today."
Also last Friday, Japan's Naomi Osaka successfully regained the initiative to overcome Uzbekistan's Maria Timofeeva 6-3, 3-6, and 6-3 in the Round of 32.
The four-time Grand Slam champion will face the Czech Sara Bejlek in the next round.
Russian French Open champion Mirra Andreeva overcame a stumble in the first set to defeat Chinese wildcard entry Yuan Yue 3-6, 6-0, and 6-0.
Czech Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, the 2025 Beijing runner-up, defeated Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-4 and 6-1.
She will face Uzbekistan's Polina Kudermetova in the next round, while Noskova meets Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic in the third round.
In the men's category, the powerful groundstrokes of Russia's Daniil Medvedev ousted Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 and 6-2, ensuring the world number six faces Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round.
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