US Open finalist Jessica Pegula suffered a surprise exit in the China Open last 16, falling to Spain’s Paula Badosa in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0. Badosa, the 15th seed, delivered a dominant performance, especially in the second set, to secure her place in the quarter-finals where she will face Poland’s Magdalena Frech or China’s Zhang Shuai.
Pegula, the second seed and one of the in-form players on tour, struggled to find her rhythm against Badosa, despite her recent success, including a runner-up finish at the US Open where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka. After a tight first set, Badosa took full control, blanking Pegula in the second set.
Meanwhile, top-seeded Sabalenka is set to face American Madison Keys in her last-16 match. Defending champion and world number one Iga Swiatek is not participating in this year’s tournament due to personal reasons.
