Sabalenka Upset by Bejlek, Paul Defeats Zverev in Cincinnati
At the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, world number one Aryna Sabalenka faced a setback in her U.S. Open title defense, losing to Sara Bejlek with a score of 7-6(7) 6-4 in the round of 16.
Bejlek, a 20-year-old Czech player, achieved her first win over a top-10 opponent by rallying from a 5-1 deficit in the first-set tiebreak and overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the second set. The match lasted approximately two hours, and Bejlek will next compete against Madison Keys in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka's defeat opens the possibility for Elena Rybakina to replace her as world number one if she reaches the Cincinnati final. In the men's draw, Tommy Paul saved a match point to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4, marking Paul's first appearance in the last eight at Cincinnati.
Zverev struggled with his service game, recording 14 aces but also nine double faults.
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