Sabalenka suffers surprise defeat to Cirstea at Italian Open Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka endured a stunning third-round exit at the Italian Open on Saturday as she fell to 26th-ranked Sorana Cirstea in a dramatic three-set match. The world No. 1, who had appeared to be in control of the contest after taking a 2-0 lead in the second set, was outmaneuvered by the Romanian, who secured a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory. This marked Cirstea's first triumph over a player ranked in the top 10, a milestone that carried particular significance as the 36-year-old Romanian prepares to conclude her professional career. Cirstea’s victory came after a resilient comeback, with the unseeded player capitalizing on Sabalenka’s waning momentum. Speaking after the match, Cirstea expressed her elation, stating, “I'm very, very happy. 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.” Her words underscored the magnitude of the win, which not only showcased her determination but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of tennis at the highest level. Sabalenka, meanwhile, faced challenges both on and off the court. During the final set, the Belarusian player appeared visibly troubled by lower back pain and requested a medical time-out for treatment. She later explained that her body was “limiting me from performing on the highest level,” citing a combination of lower back and hip issues that restricted her full rotation. “She stepped in and played incredible tennis. Didn’t really give me much opportunities,” Sabalenka admitted, adding that the loss was a learning experience. “We never lose, we only learn, so it's okay.” The 2023 Wimbledon champion now faces a recovery period, with plans to take days off to focus on rehabilitation.#tennis #aryna_sabalenka #sorana_cirstea #italian_open #lower_back_pain
