Sorana Cirstea pulled off a remarkable comeback at the Italian Open 2026 in Rome by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the Round of 16. This victory marked Cirstea’s first career win over a reigning world No. 1 and showcased her late-career resurgence.
The match initially favored Sabalenka as she dominated the early stages, winning the first set and taking a 2-0 lead in the second. However, Cirstea shifted the momentum with aggressive play, breaking Sabalenka’s serve to level the match and force a decisive third set.
In a tense final set, Cirstea continued her strong performance, breaking Sabalenka three times and ultimately securing the win after a physical battle lasting two hours and 14 minutes. This victory marked only the third defeat for Sabalenka in 2026 and her earliest exit from a tournament in over a year.
Despite the emotional win, Cirstea, currently ranked No. 27, hinted that her retirement plans remain unchanged for now, with a humorous comment that only a tournament victory in Rome might alter her decision. She is set to face 13th seed Linda Noskova in the next round, with a chance to reach the Rome quarter-finals for the first time in her career.
