Top seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start to defeat Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1 and move to the third round of the China Open in Beijing on Saturday.

In her first appearance since her US Open triumph, top seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame a slow start in Beijing to win 6-4, 6-1 against qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew

In her last match on September 7, 2024, Sabalenka won 7-5, 7-5 versus Jessica Pegula in the final of the US Open. In the past two years, this is the first time in which Sabalenka and Sawangkaew have played each other.

In the Round of 64 at the China Open on Friday, Aryna Sabalenka (ranked No. 2) meets Mananchaya Sawangkaew (No. 187).Sabalenka’s last match was a win, 7-5, 7-5, over Jessica Pegula on