Bejlek Shocks Top Seed Sabalenka in Cincinnati
Listen to the story
Bejlek caused a major upset by defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round of the Cincinnati tournament.
After the match, Bejlek said she was still in shock, admitting, "I have no words."
Sabalenka, one of the best players in the world, was expected to win easily.
As the top seed, she was the highest-ranked player in the tournament.
However, Bejlek played an excellent match and secured the upset victory.
The result surprised many tennis fans and experts.
In the same round, another top seed, Alexander Zverev, was also stunned by an unexpected loss.
Both results happened in the men's and women's draws of the Cincinnati event.
The Cincinnati tournament is one of the most important events on the tennis calendar.
It attracts many of the world's top players every year.
Sabalenka's early elimination means she will not continue in the tournament.
Fans will now watch to see how far Bejlek can go in the later rounds.
Her win over such a strong opponent has boosted her confidence.
Tennis tournaments often produce surprising results, but this double shock stood out.
Both Sabalenka and Zverev were considered favourites before their matches began.
Vocabulary9 words
- Sabalenka
- a famous top tennis player
- tournament
- a big sports competition with many matches
- top seed
- the player ranked number one before the event
- upset
- a surprising win by the weaker player
- stunned
- extremely surprised
- draws
- the set list of matches for men or women
- calendar
- the yearly schedule of events
- elimination
- being removed from a competition
- confidence
- a feeling of trust in your own ability
Quiz
Answer key
1. She lost to Bejlek in the fourth round 2. She said she had no words, showing shock 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Bejlek caused a major _____ by defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
The match happened in the fourth round of the Cincinnati _____.
After the match, Bejlek said she was still in _____.
Sabalenka, one of the best players in the world, was expected to win _____.
As the top _____, she was the highest-ranked player in the tournament.
However, Bejlek played an excellent match and secured the upset _____.
In the same round, another top seed, Alexander Zverev, was also _____ by an unexpected loss.
Both results happened in the men's and women's _____ of the Cincinnati event.
The Cincinnati tournament is one of the most important events on the tennis _____.
Sabalenka's early _____ means she will not continue in the tournament.
Discussion questions
- Why do big upsets like this attract so much attention in sports?
- How do you think Bejlek felt before and after the match?
- Why might a top seed lose to a lower-ranked player?
- Do you follow tennis tournaments like Cincinnati? Why or why not?