Sabalenka loses to Bejlek after incident with ball boy
Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, lost in straight sets to Sara Bejlek in the Cincinnati Open round of 16, suffering a third consecutive round-of-16 exit at the event. After losing the first set she smashed a ball back at a ball boy in the opening game of the second set, with the ball landing in the crowd and drawing fan backlash. Sabalenka was broken five times, failed to close a first-set tiebreak after leading 5-1, and lost momentum after briefly leading 4-1; the result raises concerns about her form and conduct ahead of the US Open.
World No.1 eliminated amid on-court conduct and form concerns
Context
She started the year with only one loss in her first 25 matches. She has had prior conduct incidents, including a Wuhan Open racket throw, and this loss may affect her preparation for the US Open.
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