Dominant Aryna Sabalenka dispatches Renata Zarazua to progress at China Open

Sabalenka, the world number two, was returning to the court for the first time since losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina, but showed no effects of rustiness as she took just over an hour to beat the 94th-ranked Zarazua.

The Belarusian breezed throough the opening set as her power just seemed to overwhelm her opponent, yet Zarazua should also be applauded for not completely wilting.

Zarazua continued to battle through service holds to at least force Sabalenka to keep holding serve, but Sabalenka closed out the match to advance.

She said afterwards: "I was just trying to stay focused on myself. Tried to stay aggressive on my serve, on the return as well. So happy with the game I played today."

Sabalenka will next face Nikola Bartunkova in the third round. 

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