ROME — High-ranked Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock third-round loss to Sorana Cirstea on the Italian Open on Saturday.
Sabalenka seemed to be cruising to victory whereas main by a set and 2-0 however the Twenty sixth-ranked Cirstea stormed again to triumph 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
It was a primary win over a world No. 1 for the 36-year-old Romanian, who’s enjoying her closing professional season.
“I’m very, very joyful,” a beaming Cirstea stated. “Aryna is a tremendous participant. I believed I performed rather well right this moment. I’m working actually, actually exhausting. It’s good to have this outcome as payoff.”
Sabalenka appeared visibly bothered by decrease again ache and referred to as for a medical timeout for therapy whereas down 4-3 within the closing set.
“Felt like my physique was limiting me from acting on the best stage,” Sabalenka stated. “She stepped in and performed unimaginable tennis. Didn’t actually give me a lot alternatives. … However I suppose we by no means lose, we solely be taught, so it’s okay.
“In all probability it’s my decrease again, related to the hip, which is limiting me from the total rotation. We’re going to have some days off, spend it on restoration. That’s the plan for now.”
It was the second straight shock exit for Sabalenka, who was upset by American Hailey Baptiste within the Madrid Open quarterfinals final week.
Cirstea will subsequent play Linda Noskova within the spherical of 16.
Defending champion Jasmine Paolini was additionally out. The Italian wasted three match factors in a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 loss to Elise Mertens within the third spherical.
