adminWASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) — World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been knocked out of the Cincinnati Open after a straight-sets loss to Sara Bejlek, reported PA Media/dpa.
After the schedule was pushed back due to rain, the Czech ousted Sabalenka 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in her first win over a top-seeded player on Wednesday.
She will face Madison Keys in the quarter-finals after the 2019 champion beat Wang Xiyu 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.
The defeat continued a poor run for Sabalenka, who has not reached a final since March, and the Belarusian faces losing her number one ranking ahead of the defence of her United States (US) Open title.
Elena Rybakina reached the last eight with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Diana Shnaider and can overtake Sabalenka by making the final.
Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek also won.
Cincinnati is a warm-up for the US Open, which starts at the end of the month.
— BERNAMA-PA MEDIA/dpa
