UPDATE 1-Tennis-Cirstea stuns top seed Sabalenka at the Italian Open

It was Cirstea's second victory over Sabalenka in four meetings, having also prevailed in ⁠Miami in 2023, the first time they played each other. "Maybe if I ⁠win the ⁠tournament, I promise I will think about (not retiring)," joked Cirstea, who owns four singles WTA ‌titles.

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. "I’m very happy with the win. I ‌thought I played really well today. I’m working really really ‌hard. It’s nice to have this result as payoff," Cirstea said.

Four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka seemed to be struggling with an injury as the ⁠match ​progressed, and ⁠took a medical timeout when Cirstea was leading the third set 4-3. Cirstea won ⁠the next game 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. It was Cirstea's second victory over Sabalenka in four meetings, having also prevailed in ⁠Miami in 2023, the first time they played each other.

"Maybe if I ⁠win the ⁠tournament, I promise I will think about (not retiring)," joked Cirstea, who owns four singles WTA ‌titles.