Within hours of tennis‘s top men’s and women’s doubles seeds losing at the 2026 Cincinnati Open, WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued the trend with a shocking Round of 16 loss to 20-year-old left handed Czech Sara Bejlek.
Bejlek played an amazing match to take out Sabalenka in straight sets. She was not afraid or intimidated by Sabalenka’s serve and shotmatking, coming from a break down in the first set to win the tiebreaker after going down 1-5.
Sabalenka spoke of trying to find her groove in Cincinnati after not winning a title since the 2026 Miami Open after becoming the fifth woman to secure the Sunshine Double.
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Sabalenka’s struggles continueIt is hard to admit that Sabalenka may be struggling when she has only lost five matches this season. However, her stronghold on the World No. 1 ranking is loosening.
Elena Rybakina is on her heels, just 400 points behind in the WTA live rankings. She will play in the quarterfinals on Thursday against Iga Swiatek.
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A lack of confidence has crept into Sabalenka’s game including some difficulties with the once ironclad serve. Frustration from an inability to dominate opponents from first ball is also setting in.
Sara Bejlek, of Czech Republic, serves to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, at the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Bejlek, who has enjoyed a tremendous season with a win at the Abu Dhabi Open, will face Madison Keys in the quarterfinals on Friday, August 21. She is 31st in the live rankings.
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