Aryna Sabalenka’s preparations for her US Open title defence suffered another setback after the Belarusian world number one was knocked out by Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open.
Top seed Sabalenka appeared to be in control after taking a 5-1 lead in the first-set tiebreak and moving 4-1 ahead in the second set. However, Bejlek produced remarkable comebacks in both sets to secure a stunning 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 victory.
The defeat puts Sabalenka’s position at the top of the world rankings under threat. Elena Rybakina can overtake her if she reaches the Cincinnati final, with Rybakina set to face Iga Swiatek in an eye-catching quarter-final.
Sabalenka’s build-up to the US Open has been far from ideal. The 27-year-old also suffered an early exit in Toronto, leaving her with limited momentum ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season, which begins on 30 August.
For 20-year-old Bejlek, ranked 35th in the world, the victory marks the biggest win of her career. It is her first victory over a top-10 player and also her first appearance in a WTA 1000 quarter-final.
“I totally lost my words. I just keep believing, and that was the key today,” Bejlek said after the match.
“She played amazing tennis and I was just believing, kept fighting and was just trying my best.”
Bejlek, who won the Abu Dhabi hard-court title in February as a qualifier, will now look to continue her impressive run in Cincinnati.
