WTA roundup: Qualifier Sara Bejlek wins Abu Dhabi title

Field Level Media|published: 02/07/2026, 11:52am EST

Jul 28, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Sorana Cirstea (ROU) reacts after a point against Lulu Sun (NZL) in first round play at IGA Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Czech qualifier Sara Bejlek defeated No. 2 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 7-6 (5), 6-1 to capture her first title on Saturday at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in the United Arab Emirates.

The 20-year-old Bejlek, ranked No. 101 in the world, pulled away after a competitive first set to win the WTA 500 trophy in one hour and 39 minutes.

After rallying from a 4-2 deficit in the tiebreak, Bejlek dominated the second set by breaking Alexandrova's serve three times. Bejlek became the first qualifier and first Czech to win the tournament in its five-year history.

Transylvania Open

Third-seeded Sorana Cirstea thrilled a partisan home crowd with a 6-0, 6-2 win against top-seeded Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in the final in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Cirstea only needed 63 minutes to secure her fourth career title, denying Raducanu her first tournament win since the 2021 U.S. Open. It was a special sendoff for Cirstea, 35, who announced earlier this year that 2026 would be her final season in professional tennis.

Cirstea delivered six aces, while Raducanu endured six double faults. In her disastrous opening set, Raducanu only managed one winner and 19 unforced errors. Cirstea swept the last four games to finish the match.

--Field Level Media