Sara Bejlek def. Aryna Sabalenka 7(9)-6(7), 6-4 — Cincinnati Open 2026 R16

Match recap

Sara Bejlek defeated Aryna Sabalenka 7(9)-6(7), 6-4 in the R16 of the Cincinnati Open 2026.

Backed at 93 percent by the betting market, the top seed held six of 11 service games in the Cincinnati Open round of 16 and gave away four double faults. Sabalenka took her chances at the better rate, converting four of six break points to five of 11, but Bejlek manufactured nearly twice as many, the last in game 9 of the second set — a break for 5-4 she then served out. It is the 38th-ranked Czech's biggest win by opponent rank on record, clear of a previous best over No. 11 Alexandrova in February's Abu Dhabi final. The win, in 1 hour 55 minutes, books a first quarterfinal at this level.

Match stats

Aryna Sabalenka: 0 aces, 50% first serves, 4 double faults, 4/6 break points. Sara Bejlek: 3 aces, 67% first serves, 0 double faults, 5/11 break points.

Profiles: Aryna Sabalenka · Sara Bejlek — Cincinnati Open 2026

Head-to-head

This is the first meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Sara Bejlek.