In an unexpected turn of events at the Italian Open, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka faced a stunning defeat at the hands of Sorana Cirstea in the third round. The match, which took place in Rome, saw Sabalenka initially dominating opponents with a convincing first set. However, despite leading 6-2 and 2-0 in the second set, the 36-year-old Cirstea staged a remarkable comeback to secure victory with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Cirstea, as it is her first-ever win against a world No. 1 player, an accomplishment she celebrated enthusiastically. “I’m very, very happy,” she remarked after the match. “Aryna is an amazing player. I thought I played really well today. I’m working really, really hard. It’s nice to have this result as payoff.”
The match was not without its challenges for Sabalenka, who appeared to be struggling with lower back issues. She called for a medical timeout during the deciding set while trailing 4-3, indicating that her physical condition was hindering her performance. “I felt like my body was limiting me from performing at the highest level,” Sabalenka admitted post-match. “She stepped in and played incredible tennis. Didn’t really give me many opportunities. But I guess we never lose, we only learn, so it’s okay.”
This defeat continues a troubling trend for Sabalenka, who experienced an early exit in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open the previous week after losing to American player Hailey Baptiste. Following this latest setback, she plans to take some time off to focus on recovery, particularly as she deals with ongoing discomfort linked to her lower back and hip.
Cirstea is now set to face off against Linda Noskova in the round of 16, while the defending champion, Jasmine Paolini, also finds herself eliminated. Paolini narrowly missed advancing after wasting three match points in a hard-fought battle against Elise Mertens, concluding the match with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3.
As the tournament progresses, fans are undoubtedly keen to see how Cirstea continues to perform, especially in what she has declared as her final professional season. The Italian Open has already delivered a series of surprises, and the upcoming matches promise to keep the excitement high.
