Yasmine Kabbaj Stuns Berfu Cengiz in Rabat First Round

Yasmine Kabbaj gave the home crowd in Rabat something to cheer about, knocking out Turkey's Berfu Cengiz 7-6(4), 6-3 in the first round of the 2026 Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem. The Moroccan handled a tense opening set, using a tiebreak 7-4 to gain the upper hand, then closed the door in the second set for a straight-sets victory in 1 hour 35 minutes. Kabbaj's tiebreak win proved pivotal.

After a tight first set that offered few clear chances for either player, she found her range in the breaker, taking it 7-4. That breakthrough allowed her to play more freely in the second set, where she broke early and dictated rallies, never giving Cengiz a path back into the match. The victory also highlights the depth of Moroccan tennis on this stage.

For a tournament that relies on home interest, Kabbaj's first-round upset injects immediate energy into the draw. The crowd, which had come expecting competitive matches, now has a clear local favorite to rally behind in the later rounds. What's next: Kabbaj advances to the second round, where she will aim to continue her run and keep the Moroccan crowd engaged. Read at GNews.io