WTA 1000 ROME. Italy
Aryna Sabalenka became the second star name dumped out of the Italian Open when she suffered a shock third-round exit on Saturday.World number one and pre-tournament favourite for overall victory, Sabalenka followed men’s tennis icon Novak Djokovic in going out early from the Rome event following a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 loss to Sorana Cirstea.
Sabalenka is renowned for her fighting spirit and refusal to lose, often finding ways to escape difficult early-round encounters even when far from her best level. However, this time the world No 1 was unable to recover after the match turned against her.
The 28-year-old had not been knocked out of a tournament in the round of 32 since the Qatar Open in February last year, and she looked set for a quick and clean victory after racing to the first set.
SABALENKA and early exits in Rome
