Prime-ranked Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock third-round loss to Sorana Cirstea on the Italian Open right here on Saturday. Sabalenka seemed to be cruising to victory whereas main by a set and 2-0 however the Twenty sixth-ranked Cirstea stormed again to triumph 2-6 6-3 7-5. It was a primary win over a world No. 1 for the 36-year-old Romanian, who’s enjoying her ultimate professional season. ”I am very, very comfortable,” a beaming Cirstea mentioned. ”Aryna is a tremendous participant. I believed I performed rather well at present. I am working actually, actually onerous. It is good to have this outcome as payoff.” Sabalenka appeared visibly bothered by decrease again ache and referred to as for a medical outing for therapy whereas down 4-3 within the ultimate set. It was the second straight shock exit for Sabalenka, who was upset by American Hailey Baptiste within the Madrid Open quarterfinals final week. Cirstea will subsequent play Linda Noskova within the spherical of 16. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini was additionally out. The Italian wasted three match factors in a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-3 loss to Elise Mertens within the third spherical. AP SSC SSC
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