Shocking upset in Cincinnati: Belic knocks out Spalinska, Paul eliminates Zverev

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, suffered a surprise blow to her preparations for defending her title at the US Open after being eliminated from the Cincinnati Open in the round of 16, losing to Czech player Sára Bejlek. In the men’s draw, American Tommy Paul saved a match point before eliminating world No. 1 Alexander Zverev.

The 20-year-old Bejlek secured the biggest victory of her career so far, defeating Sabalenka 7-6 (4), 6-4. The Czech player turned the match around after coming back from a 5-1 deficit in the tiebreak of the first set, and then from 4-1 down in the second set, recording her first win against a top-10 ranked player. Bejlek won the match in approximately two hours, setting up a quarterfinal clash with American Madison Keys. Sabalenka’s loss also opened the door for Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina to take over the world No. 1 ranking, as reaching the Cincinnati final would be enough for her to claim the top spot.

In the men’s singles, American Paul fought to defeat third-ranked German Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, reaching the Cincinnati quarterfinals for the first time. The match was suspended for about 90 minutes due to rain.

Zverev had taken the first set and was leading 4-3 in the second set when the fourth-round match was halted because of bad weather.

Paul appeared more focused after play resumed, saving a match point before equalizing the score at a time when Zverev was struggling to regain his rhythm.

The German player led 4-2 in the deciding third set, but Paul showed great resilience and regained the initiative, winning four consecutive games in a strong comeback that earned him a place in the quarterfinals.

Despite Zverev recording 14 aces, he committed nine double faults and his serving appeared shaky at times.

Paul will face Italian Flavio Cobolli in the next round, who earlier defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3.