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

For the 26-year-old, it was her 13th consecutive win - she previously won back-to-back titles in Cincinnati and the US Open. In her next match, the top seed will play against the winner of the match between No. 29 seed Lulu Sun and Ashlyn Krueger.

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka faced a determined effort from Thai qualifier Mananchaya Sawangkaew before securing a 6-4, 6-1 victory in the second round of the China Open on

There is plenty at stake at the WTA Beijing event with the race for a place at the WTA Finals heating up. On what promises to be an action-packed day in

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