World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered another early exit ahead of the US Open, losing to Czech world No. 35 Sara Bejlek in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Masters.
Bejlek produced the biggest upset of the day with a 7-6(9/7), 6-4 victory over the four-time Grand Slam champion. The Czech player battled back from difficult positions in both sets to secure her first career win against a top-10 opponent.
Bejlek Stuns Sabalenka
Sabalenka appeared in control of the opening set after taking a break lead. She also moved 5-1 ahead in the tiebreak, but Bejlek refused to surrender.
The Czech rallied brilliantly and eventually claimed the tiebreak 9-7 after 65 minutes.
Sabalenka then struggled to regain momentum in the second set. Although she led 4-1, Bejlek won five consecutive games to complete the upset.
“I lost my words — it feels incredible,” Bejlek said after the match. “I believed in myself no matter what.”
The victory sends Bejlek into the quarter-finals, where she will face American Madison Keys.
Sabalenka’s defeat adds to a difficult run ahead of the US Open, which begins on August 30. She also exited in the fourth round in Toronto and Wimbledon before reaching the quarter-finals at Roland Garros.
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Paul Sends Zverev Home
American Tommy Paul also produced a major upset by defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev 4-6, 7-6(8/6), 6-4.
Rain disrupted the match for 90 minutes during the seventh game of the second set. Two further short interruptions followed as officials worked to dry the court.
Zverev had a chance to finish the contest when he led 6-5 in the second-set tiebreak. However, the French Open champion missed a volley, allowing Paul to force a deciding set.
The German then moved 4-2 ahead in the final set. Paul responded immediately, breaking back before taking another break at 5-4 to seal the victory.
“I’m not sure how I did it,” Paul said. “I went after the ball a bit more and I was having fun out there.”
The American has now beaten Zverev three times in their last four meetings.
More Seeds Fall in Cincinnati
Second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime also suffered a fourth-round defeat. American Frances Tiafoe beat the Canadian 6-3, 6-4.
Sixth seed Taylor Fritz, however, continued his campaign with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Chris O’Connell.
Meanwhile, Flavio Cobolli fought back to defeat Spain’s Rafael Jodar 4-6, 7-6(7/3), 6-3 after two and a half hours.
Thiago Tirante also continued his surprise run. The Argentine defeated Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first Masters quarter-final after previously upsetting Novak Djokovic.
Frenchman Arthur Fils also advanced by defeating fifth seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4.
Gauff and Swiatek Advance
Former champion Coco Gauff booked her place in the quarter-finals with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Czech player Marie Bouzkova.
Gauff saved all eight break points she faced during the match. She missed her first match point with a double fault but finished the contest on her next opportunity with an overhead winner.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek also progressed after defeating France’s Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3.
The Polish seventh seed will now face Elena Rybakina in a rematch of last week’s Toronto final. Rybakina reached the next round by beating Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-4.
Two other Grand Slam champions, meanwhile, failed to advance.
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk recovered from a set down to beat French Open champion Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-0, 6-2. Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova also exited after Amanda Anisimova won 6-1, 6-4.
