Aryna Sabalenka lost to Sorana Cirstia in the third round of the Italian Open

Sabalenka took twice a set and a break against veteran Cirstia, who is retiring at the end of the season.

He broke the 36-year-old when Cirstia served for the match at 5-4 in the third set – only to give the advantage back immediately in the next game.

Sabalenka’s serve – the most developed part of her game and the key to her rise to the top of the rankings – was broken six times throughout the match.

He made 72% of his first serves but won only 56% of his backhand points and could only take 11 of 26 points off his second serve.

Sabalenka slapped a ball in frustration after losing five consecutive games in the second set and immediately collapsed in the decider.

She responded in the next game, but her service game always felt shaky and a wide forehand gave Sarstia a 3-2 break lead.

Sabalenka called the trainer and stretched her back down to 4-3. She was then seen making a comeback after stopping serve for the match at the first time she was asked.

However, Sarastia came back brilliantly to regain her lead and Sabalenka converted her first match point for a long comeback.

Earlier, defending champion and home favorite Jasmine Paolini lost to Belgium’s Elise Mertens 4-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.