Video - When Sabalenka and Muchova trade blows from the start in Beijing

Karolina Muchova, whose complete and elegant game has won over many fans on the WTA tour, had an excellent tournament in Beijing last year, eliminating Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng before falling in the final to Coco Gauff.

In her quarterfinal against Sabalenka, the tone was set with a brilliant exchange from the third point of the match.

After approaching the net following a backhand attack, the Belarusian defended superbly with two backhand volleys before conceding on a clever shot into the open court successfully executed by Muchova.

The spectacle continued throughout the rest of the match, which the Czech player won 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 after 2 hours and 46 minutes of play.