Aryna Sabalenka said she was “trying so hard to be easier on myself” as she began her China Open campaign with victory over Renata Zarazua.
World number two Sabalenka hit 11 aces and did not face a break point in a 6-1 6-3 victory over the Mexican.
The Belarusian needed just 63 minutes to win her first match since losing her world number one ranking and her US Open crown to Elena Rybakina in September.
The 28-year-old is bidding for her first title since completing the ‘Sunshine Double’ in March, when she won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back.
It has been a mixed year for Sabalenka by her high standards. She will finish without a Grand Slam trophy for the first time since 2022 and has often struggled to control her frustrations on court.
Asked about being so self-critical, Sabalenka said: “I think this is a good and a bad side of my personality, that I always ask and wait for more from myself.
“Sometimes it can drive me forward, but sometimes it can really drain my energy.
“Maybe this is something I have to finally learn. I’m really trying so hard sometimes to be easier on myself.”
Sabalenka will face Czech 20-year-old Nikola Bartunkova – who came close to beating her at the Berlin Open in June – in the third round.
Top seed Rybakina begins her campaign at the WTA 1000 event on Saturday.
Earlier, Britain’s Katie Boulter fell 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 to Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova, while French Open champion Mirra Andreeva recovered to beat Chinese wildcard Yuan Yue 3-6 6-0 6-0.
In the men’s event, sixth seed Daniil Medvedev produced 12 aces to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 6-2.
British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool advanced in the doubles, beating Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-4.
Djokovic battles through
Novak Djokovic progressed to the third round of the men’s tournament with a 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2 victory over China’s Bu Yunchaokete.
The six-time champion, who has never lost in Beijing in 31 matches, was given a scare by Bu after he dropped the first set.
Djokovic needed a medical timeout after giving back a break in the second set, accepting a time violation as he fought to regain his breath between points.
The 39-year-old Serb then consulted the trainer, as he had in his first-round win over Nuno Borges, but he dominated the tie-break.
Djokovic found his rhythm in the decider as he won four games in a row sealing victory after two hours and 52 minutes with a backhand winner.
He will face either US Open champion Alexander Zverev of Germany or China’s Shang Juncheng on Saturday for a spot in the quarter-finals.