Sabalenka upset by Bejlek at Cincinnati Open, ranking at risk

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shocking upset at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday, losing to Czech player Sara Bejlek in the round of 16 and putting her top ranking in jeopardy ahead of the US Open. The defeat marks Sabalenka's third consecutive early exit from a major tournament, raising concerns about her form as she prepares to defend her US Open title.

Bejlek, a 20-year-old ranked outside the top 100, secured the biggest win of her career with a 7-6(7), 6-4 victory. She rallied from a 5-1 deficit in a first-set tiebreak and a 4-1 deficit in the second set to defeat Sabalenka for the first time. The match, played on Wednesday, August 19, lasted approximately two hours. Bejlek will face Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.

The loss was a turbulent one for Sabalenka. During the first-set tiebreak, after failing to convert a set point, she threw her racket in frustration, causing her string dampener to fly off the court. This led to a prolonged delay while the dampener was searched for and replaced, drawing criticism from commentators and fans. Sabalenka held a 4-1 lead in the second set but did not win another game.

"I feel incredible," Bejlek said after the match. "I just...