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Sorana Cirstea defeated the world number one women’s player 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the third round when the latter suffered lower back pain.
Published on May 10, 2026
Aryna Sabalenka’s preparations for the French Open have been hit hard following Sorana Cirstea’s third straight defeat at the Italian Open, as the world number one looks to shake off injury ahead of the Grand Slam which starts in less than two weeks.
Sabalenka needed help late in her meeting with Cirstea on Saturday before falling 6-2, 3-6, 5-7 to her second defeat in three matches after a quarter-final loss to Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open last month.
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It was the first win at world number one for the 36-year-old Romanian, who is playing in his final season.
“I’m very happy,” said Cirstea. “Aryna is an amazing player. I thought I played really well today. I’m working really hard. It’s nice to have results.”
Sabalenka appeared frustrated with her performance on court, muttering to herself with her shoulders slumped in a casual display.
“I feel like I didn’t play well from the beginning to the end. I started very well, but I went down,” Sabalenka, who is a four-time Grand Slam champion, said in Rome.
“I felt like my body was preventing me from playing at the highest level.”
“That was tough. But I think we never lose; we just learn, so that’s good.”
Sabalenka’s offensive moves on the clay court followed a strong run on the hard courts, where she held Name of Brisbanearrived atAustralian Open final and he said back-to-back trophies in Indian Wells and Miami.
The Belarusian said he now hopes to regain his strength in time for the French Open, which takes place in Paris on May 24, after losing in last year’s final against Coco Gauff.
“I would say it’s probably like my lower back, connected to the hip, that’s hindered my rotation,” added the 28-year-old.
“I think we’ve had a few days off. We’ll use it to recover. That’s the plan now.”
It was a surprise second outing for Sabalenka, who was upset by American Hailey Baptiste in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open last week.
Cirstea will also play Linda Noskova in episode 16.
Defending champion Jasmine Paolini dropped three match points in a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 loss to Elise Mertens in the third round at home.
The 30-year-old is set to drop out of the top 10 in the women’s world rankings after failing to reach the fourth round for the fourth time in a row.
The sinner begins strongly
Jannik Sinner kicked off his Italian Open campaign by ousting Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-4 to begin his quest to extend his streak of five consecutive Masters 1000 wins.
The world’s best players graced a packed court with some spectacular displays, leaving Austria’s Ofner little room to breathe, despite the stormy weather in Rome.
The sinner won his 24th match in a row in one hour and 40 minutes, the 24-year-old did not break a sweat to start a dispute with Alexei Popyrin or Jakub Mensik in the third round.
No Italian has won at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago, and with Carlos Alcaraz not involved, the Sinner is expected to do better than last year when he lost the final to his arch-rival.
Such was Sinner’s dominance that he had time to smile when the game was stopped twice in the second set due to eye disease.
“I’m very happy to be back here, it’s been a very special race for me,” said Sinner.
“I’m trying to get back into a good match rhythm, even though I’ve played a lot in the last few months… I’m very happy, and now let’s see what’s coming in the next season.”
Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered a shock second-round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, the Canadian losing to his 44th straight opponent 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).
