Alina Charaeva came from a set down to beat Elena Rybakina at the China Open in Beijing, handing the top seed her first defeat since becoming world No. 1. Rybakina took the opening set 6-3 but lost the next two 6-4 and 6-3, three weeks after winning the US Open.
First loss since August
The 27-year-old Rybakina beat long-time WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. This loss to Charaeva was her first since 21 August. The three-time major champion dropped just three sets at Flushing Meadows but lost two consecutive sets in China's capital.
After winning the second match of her debut appearance in Beijing, Charaeva said: "I don't have words. This is incredible. Of course, Elena is an amazing player who is doing really good this season, winning two Grand Slams. For me, it's just a dream come true. I just tried to stay hard mentally and keep believing I could turn around the game to my side. Never stop believing, I guess!"
Historic win for Charaeva
Charaeva has become the lowest-ranked player since 1975, when the WTA rankings were introduced, to beat a world No. 1 after being a set down. It was also her first-ever match against a top-20 player on the Tour. The Russian-born Armenian player now faces Sonay Kartal of Great Britain in the third round.
Kartal beat 31 seed Wang Xinyu in her homeland 6-3 6-2 after making the quarter-finals in Beijing last year. This latest win came two days after beating Andrea Lazaro Garcia 6-2 6-3 in her return to the WTA Tour after six months out with a back injury.
Kartal's path ahead
Kartal said in her on-court interview: "I am super happy to play here, and I think that shows in my tennis. I've had a long time out, but I am happy to make a return to this event - I am looking to equal or hopefully do better this year."
To equal last year's feat, the Brit would have to beat either 18 seed Marie Bouzkova or home favourite Zheng Qinwen, who is in on a wildcard. A quarter-final against one of the 21-seed Ann Li, the ninth-seed Belinda Bencic, the 25-seed Elina Svitolina or the sixth-seed Maria Sakkari would then follow if Kartal overcame Bouzkova or Zheng.
Playing against Rybakina would have been a full-circle moment for Kartal, as it was against her that she retired at Indian Wells in March, her last match on the WTA Tour before Beijing. Bouzkova would also be a familiar face, having played against her while representing Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup last month.
