Sabalenka Cruises into Round of 16 at Cincinnati Tournament
The world's top tennis player convincingly defeated Wang Xinyu, and in the battle for the quarterfinals, she faces Czech Sara Bejlek, who surprised the 16th seed.
The world's top tennis player convincingly defeated Wang Xinyu, and in the battle for the quarterfinals, she faces Czech Sara Bejlek, who surprised the 16th seed.
The world's top tennis player, Belarusian Arina Sabalenka, took just 54 minutes to defeat China's Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3, advancing to the Round of 16 at the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. Sabalenka broke the world No. 36's serve four times, while her opponent failed to convert any break points.
Sabalenka had ended her campaigns at the last two tournaments, in Toronto and Wimbledon, in the Round of 16. To avoid a repeat in Cincinnati, where she was champion two years ago, she will need to defeat unseeded Czech Sara Bejlek.
Bejlek surprised the 16th seed, Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, in the third round with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory. That match was played on the same day, August 19, 2026, as all other third-round matches.
Also advancing to the Round of 16 is Czech Marie Bouzkova (22nd seed), who defeated American Iva Jovic (13th seed) 7-6(0), 7-6(5). Her next opponent will be American Coco Gauff (4th seed), who overcame compatriot Ann Li (28th seed) 6-1, 7-6(3).
Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced with a win over Argentine Juan Manuel Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1. In the Round of 16, he will face American Frances Tiafoe, who defeated compatriot Learner Tien 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
In other results, Madison Keys (20th seed) defeated Czech Katerina Siniakova (33rd seed) 6-1, 6-3, while Marta Kostyuk (10th seed) beat American Sloane Stephens 7-5, 7-5. Mirra Andreeva (5th seed) was better than Janice Tjen (32nd seed) 6-1, 7-6(5). The match between China's Wang Xiyu and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina (8th seed) was not played, as Svitolina advanced by walkover.
