By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Photo credit: National Bank Open Facebook
Midway through the opening set, Aryna Sabalenka glanced at the fitness tracker on her wrist.
A sharp Sabalenka raced into the Cincinnati fourth round as if operating on a stopwatch.
World No. 1 Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes in demolishing Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 to roll into the Cincinnati Open round of 16.
It was Sabalenka’s 50th WTA 1000 match win as the world’s top-ranked player. Sabalenka joins Serena Williams (104) and Iga Swiatek (58) as the third woman with 50+ WTA 1000 match wins as world No. 1.
Reigning US Open champion Sabalenka overwhelmed the world No. 36 with the pace and depth of her drives. Sabalenka drilled 17 winners against only five unforced errors.
The powerful Belarusian served 60 percent and won 14 of her 15 second-serve points.
The 2024 Cincinnati champion Sabalenka improved to 40-7 on the season as she aims to end a six-tournament title drought and claim a 25th career championship in the Queen City.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka will face Sara Bejlek for a quarterfinal spot.
Earlier, Bejlek rallied for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 win over 16th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova, who upset Sabalenka in the Toronto round of 16
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