Iga Swiatek delivered an error-strewn display in the Beijing round-of-16 and paid the ultimate price as No. 16 seed Emma Navarro completed an upset 6-4 4-6 6-0 win.
The Pole, who was seeded at No. 1 at the China Open in the absence of Aryna Sabalenka, made a positive start and took the opening two games. But then, the six-time Grand Slam champion collapsed as Navarro won the following four games before serving out for the first set in the 10th game.
It soon went from bad to worse for Swiatek after she lost her serve in the third game of the second set. Down by a set and a break, the top seed responded with breaks in the fourth and 10th games to overturn the deficit to force a decider.
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After the Polish tennis star came back from a set and a break down to send the match into a three-setter, some would think that she would routinely complete a comeback win. But instead, the Pole completely disappeared from the court as Navarro bageled the former world No. 1 to reach the Beijing quarterfinal in an impressive fashion.
Swiatek hit 70 unforced errors for a negative record, while Navarro achieved a feat
For Swiatek, 70 unforced errors against thhe Americanwere the second most she has hit in a single WTA 1000 match - she had 83 unforced errors against Barbora Krejcikova in 2021 Rome.
On the other side, the American became only the second player after Aryna Sabalenka to bagel Swiatek in a third set.
In the Beijing quarterfinal, Navarro will face the winner of the match between No. 5 seed Jessica Pegula and 23rd-seeded Marta Kostyuk.
