Sabalenka Vs Cirstea, Italian Open 2026: World No. 1 Stunned In Third Round
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock third-round loss to Sorana Cirstea at the Italian Open on Saturday. Sabalenka appeared to be cruising to victory while leading by a set and 2-0 but the 26th-ranked Cirstea stormed back to triumph 2-6, 6-3, 7-5. It was a first win over a world No. 1 for the 36-year-old Romanian, who is playing her final pro season. Sabalenka appeared visibly bothered by lower back pain and called for a medical time out for treatment while down 4-3 in the final set. It was the second straight surprise exit for Sabalenka, who was upset by American Hailey Baptiste in the Madrid Open quarterfinals last week.
Romania's Sorana Cirstea, right, and Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka react at the end of the match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Romania's Sorana Cirstea reacts during the match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka gets medical assistance during the match against Romania's Sorana Cirstea at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka returns the ball to Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Romania's Sorana Cirstea returns the ball to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during the match against Romania's Sorana Cirstea at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Romania's Sorana Cirstea returns the ball to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka returns the ball to Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Romania's Sorana Cirstea serves the ball to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka returns the ball to Romania's Sorana Cirstea during their match at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome. | Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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