“Sabalenka loses in Cincinnati and shows frustration with young supporter.”

Aryna Sabalenka could not contain her frustration during a surprising match at the Cincinnati Open, where she was eliminated in the round of 16 by young Sára Bejlek. The world number one visibly showed her discontent, especially during the first tiebreak, when she became exasperated with a ball boy. Sabalenka, who was the clear favorite to win, found herself losing a 4-1 lead in the second set, finishing the match with a score of 7-6(7), 6-4.

This result marks the third consecutive time the Belarusian has failed to reach the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000 event, a sharp decline considering she had previously reached that stage in nine consecutive tournaments. Her early exits at Roland Garros and Wimbledon put her in a precarious position, with the possibility of losing her world number one ranking to Elena Rybakina, who is quickly closing in. Sabalenka, who is defending her title at the upcoming US Open, arrives at Flushing Meadows at a disadvantage, with evident issues in her form.

During the match, tensions rose at the end of the first set, and Sabalenka expressed her feelings by dropping her racket in disappointment. A particularly embarrassing moment occurred when, in response to an error, she hit the ball into the crowd, forcing the ball boy to run after it. Despite an initial recovery by taking a 4-1 lead in the second set, her 20-year-old opponent responded with determination, winning the next five games and securing her first appearance in the quarter-finals of a WTA 1000.

Signs are worrying as the US Open approaches, with Sabalenka appearing far from the level she showed earlier in the season. After a series of impressive victories, including her win over Rybakina in the Australian Open final, her form has plummeted. With a third consecutive exit in the fourth round, the pressure is mounting. The US Open, taking place from August 30 to September 13, will be crucial for the Belarusian, who desperately needs to regain her confidence and demonstrate that she is still a force to be reckoned with in women's tennis.