Statement match and records watch

Wimbledon champion Iga Świątek crushed home favorite Yuan Yue 6-0, 6-3 to reach the third round of the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, underscoring her autumn hard-court form. The top seed’s first-set “bagel” came in 23 minutes, built on relentless depth and returns that pinned Yuan behind the baseline. Świątek has treated the Asian swing as a tune-up for the year-end championships and is closing in on statistical milestones for match wins and bagels in a single season. The lopsided scoreline also sharpened the rankings race, where every round adds pressure on rivals for the No. 1 finish.

What’s next in Beijing

Świątek now faces a mixed draw with rising hitters and crafty counterpunchers, a test of her improved net instincts and serve variation. Chinese fans still have contenders in both singles draws, keeping attendance high as tournament organizers aim to rebuild China’s tour footprint. For Świątek’s camp, the priority is workload management—balancing heavy practice reps with recovery to keep peak speed on the forehand while guarding against late-season fatigue. If she sustains this level through Beijing, she could enter the finals as the clear favorite across fast indoor courts.