World No. 34 Nikola Bartunkova has reached the first WTA 1000 quarterfinal of her career at the China Open in Beijing, continuing a remarkable 18-month climb from No. 517 in the rankings. The 20-year-old Czech will face compatriot Karolina Muchova on Thursday after defeating Sinja Kraus in three sets.
The match
Bartunkova moved into the last eight with a 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 win over Kraus in the round of 16. Her Beijing campaign had already included the biggest victory of her career, a third-round defeat of world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka for her first win over a Top 3 opponent.
The run has taken Bartunkova to a career-best ranking of No. 34. A season and a half ago, she was competing regularly on the ITF circuit in Europe outside the world’s top 500.
“It has been an incredible year,” Bartunkova said. “Before the season, I did not think I would be playing at this level or be in this position. But I am concentrating on myself now and on making my game better, because every match can still go either way.
“I am young and need more experience. That is my target.”
Her progress has been built on sustained results rather than one isolated breakthrough. Bartunkova reached the Guadalajara semifinals in September 2025 as a main-draw wild card, losing to eventual champion Iva Jovic.
She then came through qualifying at the Australian Open and made an immediate impression in her first Grand Slam main draw. Bartunkova beat Daria Kasatkina in the opening round before upsetting Belinda Bencic, who arrived in Melbourne on a 12-match singles winning streak.
On Rome clay, where she entered as a lucky loser, Bartunkova reached the fourth round and defeated Madison Keys. She later finished runner-up at the Birmingham 125 and pushed Sabalenka closely in the Berlin quarterfinals.
That Berlin contest gave her confidence for their rematch in Beijing. “I had already played a very close match against her in Berlin,” Bartunkova said. “I knew I could compete with the top players. Berlin showed me I was able to do it.”
Bartunkova describes her attacking game as unpredictable, mixing forceful baseline hitting with slices and forward movement. She has cited Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz as inspirations for that variety.
“My game stays the same against everyone,” she said. “Some opponents move better and are quicker, but I try to come forward, use volleys and play my shots. That is the plan.”
The next round
Bartunkova will meet Muchova in Thursday’s Beijing quarterfinal. The match gives the Czech No. 34 another opportunity to test the aggressive all-court style that has carried her from ITF events to the WTA 1000 last eight.
