Sabalenka 'trying hard to be easier on myself'

Aryna Sabalenka said she was "trying truthful hard to beryllium easier connected myself" as she began her China Open run with a triumph over Renata Zarazua. The world No. 2 fired 11 aces and did not face a break point in a 6-1 6-3 victory against the Mexican player. She needed only 63 minutes to claim her first match win since losing the No. 1 ranking and the US Open crown to Elena Rybakina in September. At 28, Sabalenka is hunting for her first title since completing the Sunshine Double in March, when she won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back‑to‑back. The season has been mixed relative to her usual standards; she will finish the year without a Grand Slam trophy for the first time since 2022 and has often struggled to control her frustrations on court. When asked about her self‑critical streak, Sabalenka replied: "I deliberation this is simply a bully and a atrocious broadside of my personality, that I ever inquire and hold for much from myself." She continued: "Sometimes it tin thrust maine forward, but sometimes it tin truly drain my energy." She concluded: "Maybe this is thing I person to yet learn. I'm truly trying truthful hard sometimes to beryllium easier connected myself." Sabalenka will meet Czech 20‑year‑old Nikola Bartunkova, who pushed her to the brink at the Berlin Open in June, in the third round. Top seed Elena Rybakina launches her campaign at the WTA 1000 event on Saturday. Elsewhere, Britain’s Katie Boulter fell 7‑6 (7‑3) 6‑1 to Wimbledon runner‑up Karolina Muchova, while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva recovered to beat Chinese wildcard Yuan Yue 3‑6 6‑0 6‑0. In the men’s draw, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev struck 12 aces to down Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6‑4 6‑2. The British doubles pair of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool advanced, overcoming Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6‑3 6‑4.