Big upset in Cincinnati: Sabalenka eliminated in round of 16
Sara Bejlek upset Arina Sabalenka 7-6, 6-4 in Cincinnati; the match lasted 1h55 and opens a path for Jelena Rybakina to claim the WTA No. 1 spot with a run to the final.
Shock in Cincinnati on 20 August 2026: world No. 1 Arina Sabalenka was knocked out of the WTA 1000 tournament in the round of 16, losing to Czech No. 35 Sara Bejlek 7-6, 6-4 in a match that lasted 1 hour 55 minutes.
Bejlek produces the biggest win of her career and now faces Madison Keys
The Czech, ranked 35th in the world, secured victory in a roller-coaster contest that swung back and forth. After an early break by Bejlek in the opening game, Sabalenka recovered the break to make it 2-2, and both players held serve through to a tense tiebreak. Bejlek edged that breaker 9-7 to take the first set.
In the second set Bejlek again struck first with a break for a 1-0 lead, but Sabalenka replied to level. Sabalenka then reeled off a break and held to open a commanding 4-1 advantage — only for the match to dramatically reverse. Bejlek won the next five games in a row to complete the comeback and eliminate Sabalenka.
The result not only ends Sabalenka's run in Cincinnati but also opens the door in the rankings: Jelena Rybakina will officially take over the No. 1 position on the WTA list if she reaches the final in Cincinnati. Rybakina is due to play former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
For Bejlek, the victory represents the biggest triumph of her career to date. She will meet Madison Keys in the next round.
Photo: press material from the event
