In the opening qualifying round, the Belarusian world No. 141 faced Colombia’s Emiliana Arango (No. 97) and lost in a hard-fought three-set match, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6. In the final qualifying round for a spot in the main draw, Arango will take on Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska (No. 514).

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will kick off her Cincinnati campaign in the second round. In 2025, Sabalenka was eliminated in the quarterfinals, while Poland’s Iga Swiatek captured the title. Sabalenka won the Cincinnati Open in 2024, and her compatriot Victoria Azarenka is a two-time champion of the event, having lifted the trophy in 2013 and 2020. The 2026 tournament concludes on 23 August, with the champion set to earn over $1.15 million and 1,000 ranking points.