Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Sara Bejlek Stuns Aryna Sabalenka in Cincinnati Quarterfinal Upset
Sara Bejlek, a 20-year-old tennis player from the Czech Republic, beat Aryna Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open.
Sabalenka was ranked number one in the world, while Bejlek was ranked number 35.
Bejlek lost early leads in both sets but fought back each time.
She won the first set in a tiebreak and the second set 6-4.
The match lasted just under two hours.
This was Bejlek’s first victory against a top-ranked player.
It also sent her to her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
She will next play Madison Keys.
World No. 35 Sara Bejlek defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 6-4 at the Cincinnati Open.
The 20-year-old Czech reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal and fifth WTA-level quarterfinal overall.
Bejlek recovered from early breaks in both sets before completing the victory in just under two hours.
The result was Bejlek’s first win over a top-ranked player on the WTA Tour.
Bejlek will face American 2019 champion Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.
- Who
- Sara Bejlek defeated Aryna Sabalenka and will next face Madison Keys.
- What
- Bejlek won 7-6, 6-4 to reach the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
- Where
- The Cincinnati Open in Cincinnati.
- Why
- The victory gave Bejlek her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal and first win over a top-ranked player.
- Winner
- Sara Bejlek
- Opponent
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Score
- 7-6, 6-4 for Bejlek; the article also gives the tiebreak as 7-6 (9-7).
- Rankings
- Bejlek was ranked World No. 35 and Sabalenka World No. 1.
- Milestone
- Bejlek reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal.
- Next opponent
- Madison Keys, the American 2019 champion.