Sabalenka crashes in Cincinnati and arrives at the US Open on the brink of disaster
Just when it seemed she was starting to take flight after a few months of decline, the Belarusian bids farewell to Cincinnati in the round of 16 against the Czech Sara Bejlek, who is just 20 years old.
Aryna Sabalenka is more lost than ever. Or at least, she has never been as disoriented since she reached the top. The world number one fell this Thursday in the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati against Sara Bejlek (7-6, 6-4), in a particularly painful loss due to the way it occurred.
The Czech, only 20 years old, achieved the biggest victory of her career, notched her first win against a top 10 player, and reached the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 for the first time. For Sabalenka, however, it represents another blow in a summer that is starting to take on worrying tones. The Belarusian arrived in Cincinnati seeking sensations after several difficult months, but she leaves with more questions than answers.
Just look at what this win means to Sara Bejlek 🥹 #cincytennis pic.twitter.com/HvsoOi0LGq
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 20, 2026
Since April, her performance has dropped significantly, and in her last seven tournaments, her best result has been reaching the semifinals in Berlin. Too little for a player who came to this part of the season as one of the great dominators of the circuit and who now faces the US Open with the pressure of it being her last great opportunity to win a Grand Slam in 2026.
Bejlek pulls off a major upset by defeating Sabalenka
Today, the problem for Sabalenka was not just losing, but the way she let slip a match that she seemed to have under control at several moments. Bejlek prevailed in a first set of immense tension after saving compromised situations, but most notably, she came back from 1-4 in the second set to win the last five games of the match. Sabalenka's collapse was particularly evident in the decisive moments. She even managed to go up 5-1 in the tiebreak of the first set and couldn't close out a second set that she had under control.
On the other side of the net was a unleashed Bejlek. The left-hander showed a game full of personality, with a heavy cross-court forehand, an extraordinary ability to anticipate Sabalenka's shots, and mobility that ultimately exasperated the world number one. Her focus and competitive attitude also did not go unnoticed. At just 20 years old, Czech tennis seems to have found another star in a sky filled with names.
Now the defeat opens up an important possibility in the race for number one. Elena Rybakina, who is still alive in Cincinnati, is just two victories away from becoming the world number one. For Sabalenka, the calendar is starting to leave no room for error.
Here are the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati 2026
Sara Bejlek vs. Madison Keys
Cori Gauff vs. Marta Kostyuk
Amanda Anisimova vs. Jessica Pegula
Iga Swiatek vs. Elena Rybakina
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka se estrella en Cincinnati y llega al US Open al borde del abismo