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Sabalenka Stumbles: French Open Prep Hit By Italian Open Upset
9 May
Summary
- World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka lost to Sorana Cirstea at the Italian Open.
- This defeat marks Sabalenka's earliest loss since February 2025.
- Sabalenka's French Open clay court record is now four wins and two losses.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka experienced a surprising early exit from the Italian Open, losing to 27th-ranked Sorana Cirstea in the third round. This defeat, occurring on May 9, 2026, marks Sabalenka's second loss in three matches and represents her earliest tournament exit since February 2025.
The loss in Rome disrupts Sabalenka's preparations for the upcoming French Open. It concludes her impressive streak of reaching the quarter-finals or better in 17 consecutive tournaments. Sabalenka took a medical timeout for her lower back late in the third set, suggesting potential physical issues that may have impacted her performance.
Sabalenka's clay-court record for the current season now stands at four wins and two losses as she prepares for Roland Garros. Last year, she was defeated in the French Open final by Coco Gauff, a match she later described as her worst final ever due to numerous unforced errors.
