Sorana Cirstea defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set match at the Italian Open on May 9. The Romanian came back from a first-set deficit to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the round of 32.
Cirstea, who is in her final season on tour after announcing her retirement at the end of 2026, described the victory as one of the most spectacular in her career. In her post-match interview she told the crowd at Campo Centrale that she might reconsider retirement if she wins the tournament.
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Naomi Osaka rallied past Camila Osorio 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, while world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 6-1 in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The win sets up their first meeting since 2018, when Osaka defeated the then-rising Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka fell to Sorana Cîrstea in the third round of the Italian Open on May 9, 2026, with the match marked by a controversial medical timeout. The world No. 1 lost 6-2, 3-6, 5-7 after receiving treatment late in the deciding set.
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Aryna Sabalenka lost to Sorana Cirstea in the Italian Open on May 10 after a lower back and hip issue hampered her play. The world No. 1 fell 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a match that marked her earliest exit in 15 months. She now focuses on recovery ahead of the French Open.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, marking their first meeting since Osaka's 2018 US Open victory over the then-rising Sabalenka. Building on their third-round advances—Sabalenka's straight-sets dominance and Osaka's three-set comeback—both four-time Grand Slam champions are primed for a highly anticipated rematch.
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In the Qatar TotalEnergies Open in Doha, several players advanced to the quarterfinals amid thrilling matches and notable hot shots. Jelena Ostapenko ended Camila Osorio's winning streak, while Elisabetta Cocciaretto reached her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in a marathon against Ann Li.