Sara Bejlek reached the 2026 Cincinnati Open women’s singles semifinals.
The Czech player defeated Madison Keys in the quarterfinals before losing to Coco Gauff in the last four. Bejlek’s run was one of the tournament’s biggest surprises because she was not among the leading seeds in the 96-player women’s main draw.
Her quarterfinal against Keys went to a deciding set and included a third-set tiebreak, making the victory a demanding route into the semifinals. Gauff then ended the run with a straight-sets win.
Bejlek’s result also illustrates how Cincinnati’s expanded WTA 1000 format can create opportunities beyond the highest seeds. A semifinal appearance at this level can significantly raise a player’s profile even without reaching the championship match.