Samsonova Survives, Bejlek Cruises as First Round Continues | WTA Cincinnati Open 2026

Cincinnati Open 2026 Roundup | Day 2:

The 2026 Cincinnati Open completed its second day of women’s main-draw action on Friday, August 14, with the first round continuing in Mason, Ohio.

While most of the leading seeds remained on the sidelines with first-round byes, Day 2 delivered contrasting victories: Liudmila Samsonova survived a three-set battle, Sara Bejlek overwhelmed former Cincinnati champion Karolina Pliskova, and Sofia Kenin fought back from a set down to advance.

The completion of the opening round also brings Cincinnati to an important turning point. From Day 3, the seeded players begin entering the tournament in force.

Samsonova Survives Putintseva Battle

Liudmila Samsonova had to work for her place in the second round, defeating Yulia Putintseva 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-5.

It was one of the most competitive women’s matches of the day, with neither player able to pull away after Samsonova edged the opening-set tiebreak.

Putintseva responded by taking the second set 7-5, but Samsonova eventually secured the decisive break in another tight final set to move on.

Bejlek Overwhelms Pliskova

Sara Bejlek produced one of the most emphatic results of Day 2, defeating former World No. 1 and 2016 Cincinnati champion Karolina Pliskova 6-0, 6-2.

Bejlek raced through the opening set without conceding a game and never allowed Pliskova to establish herself in the match.

The result sends Bejlek into the second round against No. 23 seed Barbora Krejcikova.

For Pliskova, Cincinnati ends after just two sets.

Venus Williams Falls to Arango

Emiliana Arango defeated wild card Venus Williams 6-2, 6-2, ending the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s Cincinnati appearance in the opening round.

At 46, Williams continues to compete on tour through wild-card opportunities, but Arango controlled their Cincinnati meeting from the outset.

The defeat extended a difficult run for Williams, who remains without a tour-level victory this season.

Kenin Comes Back Against Lys

Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin recovered after a poor opening set to defeat Eva Lys 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Lys appeared in control after racing through the first set, but Kenin reversed the match over the final two sets to secure another Cincinnati appearance in the second round.

It was one of several three-set matches on Friday as players battled for the remaining places alongside the seeded players.

Stephens Makes Winning Cincinnati Start

Sloane Stephens advanced in straight sets, defeating qualifier Sinja Kraus 7-5, 6-3.

Stephens had to work through a competitive opening set before taking greater control in the second.

Her victory adds another former Grand Slam champion to the second-round field as the tournament begins to bring the seeds into play.

Boulter Survives a Wild Three-Setter

Katie Boulter experienced one of the stranger scorelines of Day 2 against Katie Volynets.

Boulter took the opening set 7-5 before Volynets responded with a 6-0 second set. Instead of allowing the momentum swing to decide the match, Boulter recovered to win the deciding set 6-4.

The final score: 7-5, 0-6, 6-4.

Bartunkova Battles Past Charaeva

Nikola Bartunkova also needed three sets, coming from behind to defeat Alina Charaeva 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Charaeva had reached the main draw from qualifying after advancing by walkover against Alina Korneeva in the final qualifying round.

Bartunkova’s comeback ended her run and moved the Czech teenager into the second round.

More Day 2 Winners

Several other players booked their places in the second round.

Anna Blinkova recovered from a set down to defeat Mananchaya Sawangkaew 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Viktorija Golubic produced an emphatic 6-2, 6-2 victory over Alycia Parks.

Oleksandra Oliynykova defeated Elvina Kalieva 6-4, 6-1, and Peyton Stearns advanced with a 6-1, 7-6(6) victory over Harriet Dart.

The depth of the 96-player Cincinnati field was on display throughout the day, even before the highest-ranked players entered the competition.

Eala’s Cincinnati Opener Is Set

Alexandra Eala did not play on Day 2 after receiving a first-round bye as the No. 17 seed.

Her second-round opponent is Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who defeated Magda Linette 6-0, 6-3 in the opening round.

That means Eala will begin her Cincinnati campaign against a player who has already produced an impressive performance on these courts.

Doubles Still Waiting

There was no women’s doubles action on Day 2.

The 32-team doubles competition begins later in the tournament, so Cincinnati remains entirely a singles story through the opening two days.

Once doubles begins, its results and significant developments will be included alongside the singles coverage.

Day 3: The Seeds Arrive

Saturday, August 15 marks the transition from the opening round into the second round, and the complexion of the Cincinnati Open is about to change dramatically.

The players who received first-round byes will begin entering the tournament, bringing Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Madison Keys, Leylah Fernandez and Alexandra Eala into the story.

For Eala, that means the long wait is almost over.

Her matchup against Ruse will provide the first test of whether she can carry her North American hard-court momentum into another WTA 1000 event.

After two days of setting the draw, Cincinnati is ready for its leading contenders.

More from the WTA Cincinnati 2026 Roundup

Follow our daily Cincinnati 2026 coverage with singles and doubles results, notable performances and official WTA match highlights.

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