Aryna Sabalenka suffered just her third loss of the 2026 tennis season. Sorana Cirstea, the Romanian 36-year-old who announced this is her final year on the WTA Tour, scored the biggest win of her 20 year career.
Cirstea has never beaten a World No. 1 in her career though she has beaten Sabalenka before when she was World No. 2.
It was a stunning display of tennis. Sabalenka came out firing in the first set and won it 6-2.
MORE: What we learned from Novak Djokovic’s loss in Rome
Cirstea’s big win
Cirstea flipped the script and played two outstanding sets. She was not rattled by an injury timeout from Sabalenka for a hip issue.
Mar 23, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Sorana Cirstea (ROU) leaves the court after her match against Coco Gauff (USA) (not pictured) on day 7 of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images She hit the ball as hard as Sabalenka at times, punishing Sabalenka’s second serve. MORE: Jannik Sinner adds context to Grand Slam earnings controversy Sabalenka had only lost seven sets this year coming into this match. Her impressive season included winning the Sunshine Double. Besides the loss to Rybakina at the Australian Open and Baptiste at the Mutua Madrid Open, Sabalenka has won her matches with commanding leads. Coming from behind or playing long tight points has not been in her arsenal this year.Sabalenka can’t win them all