Watch: Aryna Sabalenka shows off football tricks at Cincinnati Open

Dubai: Aryna Sabalenka isn’t just dominating the Cincinnati Open with her power-packed tennis—she’s also showing off impressive football skills. In an 18-second video shared by the tournament, the Belarusian displayed precise footwork, juggling the ball with ease, though she appeared slightly frustrated when her playing partner failed to keep up. Fans have been quick to praise her athletic versatility, proving she’s more than just a tennis powerhouse.

On the court, Sabalenka moved a step closer to defending her Cincinnati Open crown, defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 7-5 in a gripping fourth-round encounter on Wednesday night. The world No. 1 wrapped up the contest in one hour and 20 minutes, setting up a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown with Elena Rybakina.

While the first set was almost routine, the second set tested Sabalenka’s composure. Leading 4-2 and seemingly cruising toward a straight-sets victory, she saw Jessica bounce back to take a 5-4 lead, coming within two points of forcing a decider. Sabalenka’s late-game brilliance, however, sealed the win, underscoring her status as the world No. 1.

“Jessica is a great player,” Sabalenka said, as quoted on the WTA official website. “She found her rhythm and it was a really tough battle. I’m super happy to get this win in straight sets—I didn’t want to stay here for three hours.”

Stage set for high-stakes clash

The victory also marked a milestone for Sabalenka, making her the first player to record 50 WTA Tour wins this year—a feat she has achieved for three consecutive seasons.

Meanwhile, Rybakina emerged victorious in another high-stakes clash, coming from a set down to beat Madison Keys 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2. It was her second top-10 win of 2025 and made her the second player since 1990 to secure three comeback wins en route to a Tier 1/WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

Sabalenka leads Rybakina 7-4 in their head-to-head encounters, promising a thrilling quarterfinal at Cincinnati, where the clash of power, skill, and resilience will be on full display.