Sorana Cirstea stuns top seed Sabalenka at the Italian Open

The 36-year-old Romanian, who will retire later this year, beat ‌a world number one for the ‌first time. Sabalenka started the match well but seemed to be struggling with an injury later ⁠on, ​as she ⁠took a medical timeout when Cirstea was leading ⁠the third set 4-3. Cirstea won the next ​game and was serving for the ⁠match, but Sabalenka fought back to make it ⁠5-5.

Sorana Cirstea ​shocked top seed ​Aryna Sabalenka, ‌beating her ​2-6 6-3 7-5 in their third-round clash at ‌the Italian Open on Saturday. The 36-year-old Romanian, who will retire later this year, beat ‌a world number one for the ‌first time.

Sabalenka started the match well but seemed to be struggling with an injury later ⁠on, ​as she ⁠took a medical timeout when Cirstea was leading ⁠the third set 4-3. Cirstea won the next ​game and was serving for the ⁠match, but Sabalenka fought back to make it ⁠5-5. ​But Cirstea broke again to serve for the match.

Sabalenka, struggling with ⁠her backhand returns, hit the net and sent ⁠two ⁠shots over the baseline, as Cirstea clinched victory.