Aryna Sabalenka has issued an upbeat response after her shock defeat within the Italian Open
Aryna Sabalenka has issued a message on social media after shock defeat at Italian Open (Picture: (Picture by Tullio Puglia/Getty Photos))
Aryna Sabalenka’s clay-court marketing campaign suffered one other shock setback on Saturday when the world No. 1 was defeated 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 by Sorana Cirstea within the third spherical of the Italian Open, marking her second consecutive upset loss and her earliest departure from any competitors since February 2025.
Sabalenka had appeared utterly dominant early on, sweeping by way of the opening set and racing to 2-0 within the second earlier than the 36-year-old Romanian staged a outstanding turnaround. Cirstea struck with daring, attacking tennis throughout the ultimate two units, pushing Sabalenka deep behind the baseline and capitalising on an opponent rising more and more error-prone.
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In the meantime, Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are in settlement on gamers needing to take a stand. The world No. 1 additionally requested a medical timeout whereas down 4-3 within the deciding set, receiving consideration on her decrease again, however was unable to mount a full restoration, and Cirstea sealed the victory to register her maiden win over a world No. 1, having beforehand dropped all 12 units in earlier encounters with the game’s top-ranked participant.
“I really feel like I did not play effectively from the start until the tip,” she mentioned, after the match. “I began very well, however then I form of dropped the extent. Felt like my physique was limiting me from acting on the very best stage. She stepped in and performed unbelievable tennis. Did not actually give me many alternatives. However I suppose we by no means lose, we solely be taught, so it is OK.”
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She additionally addressed issues over her health forward of the French Open. “Most likely it is my decrease again, related to the hip, which was form of limiting me from full rotation,” she mentioned. “I suppose we’re simply going to have some days off. We will spend it on restoration. That is the plan I imagine for now.”
Aryna Sabalenka sparked damage fears after taking a medical timeout throughout her Italian Open defeat (Picture: (Picture by Tiziana FABI / AFP through Getty Photos))
On social media, Sabalenka struck the identical constructive be aware, sharing images from Rome alongside a message that solid the defeat as an opportunity to develop. “Not each story ends the way in which you need, however each chapter teaches you one thing,” she wrote on Instagram. “Rome, thanks for the love. Ciao bella, see you quickly.”
The defeat was her third of the season, bringing her 2026 file to 27-3. She started the 12 months in gorgeous vogue, claiming the Australian Open title in Brisbane earlier than securing back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns at Indian Wells and Miami.
She stormed by way of 26 of her first 27 matches earlier than struggling a shock defeat to Hailey Baptiste in Madrid final week — a match by which Baptiste saved six match factors. Again-to-back early clay-court exits now solid doubt over her preparations for Roland Garros, the place she reached the ultimate final 12 months solely to fall to Coco Gauff.
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