Aryna Sabalenka ‘lost sight of her identity’ in uninspiring summer with No. 1 ranking in jeopardy

Aryna Sabalenka is in some serious hot water. Ten days before the U.S. Open main draw, the world No. 1 is looking less poised to defend her title, win her first Grand Slam of the year and keep her prized ranking. The 28-year-old hit a new low when she suffered her worst loss of the season Wednesday night at the Cincinnati Open, collapsing at the end of both sets to lose to unseeded 20-year-old Sara Bejlek 7-6(7), 6-4 in the Round of 16 — 11 days after Sabalenka fell to No. 16 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the same round at the Canadian Open. It was the Czech’s first win over a top-10 player. Aryna Sabalenka reacts after returning a shot against Sara Bejlek during the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in Mason, Ohio. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect F