Bejlek Rallies, Gauff Dominates: Cincinnati Semi-Finals Set

Bejlek stuns Keys

Sara Bejlek backs up Sabalenka upset with win over Madison Keys in Cincinnati. Coco Gauff rolls into semi-finals.

Gauff cruises past Kostyuk to set up Cincinnati semi with Bejlek...

Sara Bejlek came from behind to book her spot in the Cincinnati Masters semi-finals on Friday, defeating Madison Keys 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(5).

The Czech backed up her upset of world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka with another big win, toppling 2019 Cincinnati champion Keys, a former Australian Open winner.

Bejlek struggled early and fell 0-3 and then the first set, but found her rhythm and rode the momentum swings to reach the semi-finals, where she will meet No.4 seed Coco Gauff.

Bejlek got the first break of the decider, but Keys hit back to level and send it to a tiebreak. The Czech trailed 4-2 in the breaker before fighting back and sealing it with a fierce winner down the line on match point.

Bejlek, a wildcard winner in Abu Dhabi in February, is continuing a remarkable first run in debut campaign in Cincinnati.

After a strong opening set, No.24 Keys made the first move on a hot Stadium Court, breaking in game three of the second. But No.35 Bejlek hit straight back in the sixth and then held to move 4-3 ahead.  

Keys hit back with a love hold, but Bejlek regained the advantage two games later. A backhand into the net from Keys on Bejlek’s second set point sent the match to a decider.

Match Data

Gauff Cruises Into Cincinnati Semis With Dominant Win

Coco Gauff delivered a commanding performance against Marta Kostyuk, racing to a 6-2, 6-2 win in 70 minutes. The two-time Grand Slam champion broke the 10th seed six times and looked in control from the first ball. 

Kostyuk came in 5-0 in quarter-finals this year and managed a break in each set, but it wasn’t enough to trouble Gauff. The American dropped just five points on her first serve all match.

“Every match is getting better for me,” Gauff said. “I'm being more decisive, my serve is improving, and it is getting more and more rare for me to be broken.”

Gauff knows she’s in for a tough test against the in-form Bejlek.  

 “Sara is a great player,” Gauff said. “I watched her win the title in Abu Dhabi. She's so athletic and fast, but she makes you earn every point.”

Gauff is chasing her second Cincinnati crown after winning the title in 2023 with a win over Iga Swiatek. 

Gauff Kostyuk Head-to-Head Stats Cincinnati