WTA Nikola Bartunkova Karolina Muchova WTA Pekín 2026

Bartunkova knocks out Muchova and advances to the semifinals in Beijing

Fernando Murciego - 8 Oct 2026
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A new star knocks at the door: Nikola Bartunkova defeats Muchova and reaches the semifinals of the WTA Beijing. Source: Getty

Nikola Bartunkova has stopped being a surprise to become a reality. The Czech tennis player, just 20 years old and currently ranked No. 34 in the world, has qualified for the semifinals of the WTA 1000 in Beijing after crushing Karolina Muchova 6-3 and 6-0. An undeniable victory that confirms that what happened a few days ago against Aryna Sabalenka was no coincidence.

Bartunkova is playing the best tournament of her career and no longer seems willing to stop. The Czech has never gone this far in a WTA 1000; in fact, her journey in the Chinese capital already had special significance before the quarterfinals, but now it has taken on greater dimensions. First, she defeated one of the big favorites, Sabalenka, and today she overwhelmed another top 10 player like Muchova, conceding only three games. Two consecutive blows against two of the most recognizable players on the tour.

A threat that also benefits Swiatek

The result has direct consequences in the fight for the WTA Finals. Muchova, who held a privileged position in the Race, currently had a 816-point lead over Iga Swiatek. Her elimination allows the Polish player to close the gap in case she reaches the semifinals. In that case, the difference would decrease to 641 points. If she reaches the final, it would be 381.

A hypothetical title for Swiatek in Beijing would leave the battle practically wide open, with Muchova maintaining only a 31-point margin in the Race. Meanwhile, Bartunkova is enjoying a week that could completely change her career. She is already in her first WTA 1000 semifinals, and after taking out Sabalenka and Muchova, the question is beginning to become inevitable: how far can this 20-year-old Czech go? A Russian awaits her behind the next door: Alexandrova or Andreeva.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bartunkova fulmina a Muchova y se mete en semifinales de Pekín