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Aryna Sabalenka said she was “trying so hard to be easier on myself” as she began her China Open campaign with victory over Renata Zarazua.<\/b><\/p>\n
World number two Sabalenka hit 11 aces and did not face a break point in a 6-1 6-3 victory over the Mexican.<\/p>\n
The Belarusian needed just 63 minutes to win her first match since losing her world number one ranking and her US Open crown to Elena Rybakina in September.<\/p>\n
The 28-year-old is bidding for her first title since completing the ‘Sunshine Double’ in March, when she won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back.<\/p>\n
It has been a mixed year for Sabalenka by her high standards. She will finish without a Grand Slam trophy for the first time since 2022 and has often struggled to control her frustrations on court.<\/p>\n
Asked about being so self-critical, Sabalenka said: “I think this is a good and a bad side of my personality, that I always ask and wait for more from myself. <\/p>\n
“Sometimes it can drive me forward, but sometimes it can really drain my energy.<\/p>\n
“Maybe this is something I have to finally learn. I’m really trying so hard sometimes to be easier on myself.”<\/p>\n
Sabalenka will face Czech 20-year-old Nikola Bartunkova – who came close to beating her at the Berlin Open in June – in the third round.<\/p>\n
Top seed Rybakina begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 event on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Earlier, 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.<\/p>\n
In the men’s event, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev produced 12 aces to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 6-2.<\/p>\n
British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool advanced in the doubles, beating Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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