Last year, Aryna Sabalenka won the US Open, and a crucial aspect of it was her performance in the warm-up tournaments en route to that win. The Belarusian star had acclimatized well by winning the Cincinnati Open last season and subsequently won her third Grand Slam title. However, this season presents a different challenge for Sabalenka. Amid a packed schedule, she skipped the National Bank Open and will just play in Cincinnati before the US Open. Ahead of the WTA 1000 event, Sabalenka suffered a major blow that put her title defense in Cincinnati into question.

Despite being the World Number 1 and the top seed at the Cincinnati Open, Sabalenka has been handed a brutal path in Cincinnati. Earlier today, the draw for the tournament was released, and much to the disappointment of Sabalen

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