Muchova ends Sabalenka's 15-match streak at China Open

It was the third consecutive time Muchova, a US Open semi-finalist last month, has won against the three-time major winner. The Czech player now leads their head-to-heads 3-1.

Sabalenka's streak  started with a title at Cincinnati in August and continued with her US Open title last month.

She also won the Australian Open earlier in the year, while her previous career-best streak of 15 wins came across the 2020-21 seasons. 

Muchova will meet either China's Paris Olympics gold medallist Zheng Qinwen or Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who played later Friday, in the semi-finals.