Sára Bejlek erased a pair of set points to score a 7-6(3), 6-4 upset win over No. 8 seed Sorana Cîrstea in the Round of 16 at the 2026 Ningbo Open on Wednesday, extending what has become a standout WTA season on tour.
Bejlek Claws Back in Opener to Win Match
The Czech player trailed 5-6 in the opening set before rallying to force a tiebreak, where she pulled away 7-3. After that first-set escape, Bejlek used the turnaround to take control in the second.
She stayed aggressive on the return throughout, converting her first break chance to go up 3-2 and never looking back. Bejlek eventually wrapped up the match 6-4 to book another quarterfinal appearance — her sixth this season.
For Cîrstea, the loss adds another difficult chapter to what she has called her final WTA season. The Romanian veteran, who announced her retirement plans in December 2025, held two chances to take the opening set but couldn't convert either. Despite beating Bejlek 6-1, 7-6(6) at Wimbledon this year, that earlier dominance didn't travel to Ningbo.
Instead, Bejlek will continue on. It's the fifth time this year she's beaten a Top 20 player. She'll look to keep that momentum rolling in the WTA quarterfinals in China.
