Crowning Rise: Qualifier Bejlek Captures Maiden Title in Abu Dhabi

By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, February 7, 2026
Photo credit: Mubadala Abu Dhabi Facebook

Sara Bejlek capped a remarkable run with her maiden WTA title.

The 101st-ranked qualifier Bejlek beat second-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-6(5), 6-1 in today’s final to capture her first Tour-level title at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

The 5’3″ left-hander hit her topspin forehand down the line with accuracy and ambition scoring her third Top 25 victory of the tournament to take the 500-level title. Bejlek beat former French Open champion and world No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko in the second round, toppled No. 16 Clara Tauson 7-5, 3-6 ,7-5 in a gripping two hour, 49-minute semifinal last night then showed strength and stamina stopping the 11th-ranked Alexandrova in today’s final.

This determined title run vaults the 20-year-old Czech 75 spots up the rankings to a new career-high rank of No. 38 in the live rankings.

Showing staying power, Bejlek hit a tremendous topspin forehand strike down the line helping her convert her third set point to take the first-set tiebreaker.

That punishing first set drained Alexandrova and adrenalized Bejlek, who broke to start the second set and reeled off 12 of the final 14 points to seize her maiden tournament title in style.