Sorana Cirstea defeated world’s top women’s player 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the third round as the latter suffered pain in lower back.By ReutersPublished On 10 May 202610 May 2026Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open preparations have suffered a setback following a third-round defeat by Sorana Cirstea at the Italian Open, with the world number one now looking to shake off an injury before the Grand Slam that begins in less than two weeks.Sabalenka needed treatment late in her meeting with Cirstea on Saturday before she fell 6-2, 3-6, 5-7 for her second defeat in three matches after a quarterfinal loss to Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open last month.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listIt was a first win over a world number one for the 36-year-old Romanian, who is playing her final professional season.“I’m very, very happy,” a beaming Cirstea said. “Aryna is an amazing player. I thought I played really well today. I’m working really, really hard. It’s nice to have this result as payoff.”Sabalenka was visibly frustrated with her performance on centre court, muttering to herself with her shoulders slumped during an uncharacteristically sloppy display. Cirstea celebrates after winning against Sabalenka [Tiziana Fabi/AFP]“I feel like I didn’t play well from the beginning till the end. I started really well, but I dropped the level,” four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka said in Rome.“I felt like my body was limiting me from performing at the highest level. She stepped in and played incredible tennis. She didn’t really give me many opportunities.“That was a tough one. But I guess we never lose; we only learn, so it’s OK.”Sabalenka’s disappointing clay court swing follows a stellar run on hardcour …
