China Open: Sabalenka thrashes Kenin to reach second round and earn first win as world No 1

Aryna Sabalenka dismantled American wildcard Sofia Kenin 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round of the China Open.

It is the Belarusian’s first win since becoming the WTA’s new World No 1, replacing Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings following a stellar run to the final of the US Open last month.

Sabalenka’s power and aggression was simply too much for the 2020 Australian Open champion to handle, as Kenin could only muster three games against the imperious Belarusian.

Kenin has made big strides this year following major struggles with injury over the past couple of years, but she is still a work in progress – something which Sabalenka was all too happy to expose in Beijing.

The new World No 1 will face the winner of the match between Pole qualifier Magdalena Frech and qualifier Katie Boulter in the next round.