Sára Bejlek secured a notable victory over the No. 8 seed Sorana Cîrstea in the Round of 16 at the 2026 Ningbo Open, advancing to the quarterfinals with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win on Wednesday. This result adds another highlight to Bejlek’s impressive WTA season.
Bejlek Claws Back in Opener to Win Match
Facing a critical moment in the first set, Bejlek was down 5-6 and confronted with two set points, yet she managed to rally and push the set into a tiebreak. Demonstrating resilience, the Czech player dominated the breaker 7-3, turning the tide in her favor. She carried that momentum into the second set, maintaining an aggressive stance on return games.
Capitalizing on her first break opportunity to move ahead 3-2, Bejlek never relinquished control, ultimately sealing the match 6-4. This victory marks her sixth quarterfinal appearance of the season, further establishing her presence on the tour.
For Cîrstea, the defeat marks a challenging moment in what she has announced as her final WTA season, having declared retirement plans in December 2025. Despite holding two chances to close out the opening set and a previous win over Bejlek earlier this year—6-1, 7-6(6) at Wimbledon—the Romanian could not replicate that success in Ningbo.
Bejlek’s win also represents her fifth triumph over a Top 20 opponent this year, underscoring her rising form as she prepares for the next stage of the tournament in China.