Aryna Sabalenka could make unwanted history at the Cincinnati Open after being handed ‘brutal’ draw

Tough Break for Sabalenka: A Draw That’s Truly Brutal

Grab your racket and buckle in—this year’s Cincinnati Open is serving up drama from the get-go, especially for reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka. As the No. 1 seed and defending champ, you’d expect her path to be a bit smoother—but nope! Instead, she’s walked into what many are calling one of the harshest draws in recent memory.

Think of it like getting your dream vacation itinerary—only to find out you’re visiting six museums in a row without lunch. Sabalenka could become the first player in the Open Era to face six former women’s singles Grand Slam champions in one tournament. That includes potential matchups with the likes of Vondroušová, Raducanu, Serena/Williams, Rybakina or Keys, Swiatek… and possibly Osaka, Kenin, Ostapenko, or Gauff in the final. Talk about packed!

Fans and analysts aren’t holding back their reactions either. Many have taken to social media to voice their disbelief at the “evil” and unbalanced draw. As one fan put it:

“WTF. One of the most unbalanced draws I have ever seen in my life. Bottom half is trash.”
Another quipped:
“Aryna’s screams about to break decibel records with that evil draw.”
Ouch—harsh words, but maybe a bit amusing from the sidelines.

So what does this mean for Sabalenka? On one hand, if she manages to power through this gauntlet and defend her title, it’ll be an undeniable statement of grit, skill, and mental toughness. On the other hand, the sheer volume of high-stakes matches early on could leave her physically taxed just as the US Open approaches.

Meanwhile, the bottom half of the draw—anchored by Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula—looks comparatively light, giving them a smoother path to later rounds. The contrast couldn’t be more striking: one half reads like a Hall of Fame lineup, the other… well, not so much.

At the end of the day, this fiery draw adds a whole new layer of excitement (and suspense!). Will Sabalenka rise to the challenge and emerge victorious once again? Or will the draw gods finally claim their prize? Either way, Cincinnati just turned into the place to watch.