American Sofia Kenin produces upset at Italian Open in Rome as 'exhausted' Aryna Sabalenka eliminated in second round

Updated 12/05/2023 at 07:31 GMT

Sofia Kenin, ranked No. 134 in the world, eliminated Italian Open second seed Aryna Sabalenka in their second-round meeting on Thursday in a remarkable upset. The American overcame the Madrid Open champion 7-6 6-2 just days after Sabalenka beat Iga Swiatek in Madrid. Kenin now faces a third-round tie with Anhelina Kalinina. Jessica Pegula was also beaten in a day full of upsets in Rome.

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Italian Open second seed Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated by 134th-ranked Sofia Kenin in her opening match in Rome.

Kenin beat the Madrid Open champion 7-6 6-2 less than a week after Sabalenka overcame Iga Swiatek in the Spanish capital.

Sabalenka was the second top-six-seeded player to fall at the first hurdle on Thursday after Jessica Pegula lost to 168th-ranked Taylor Townsend.

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Waiting for Kenin in the next round is Anhelina Kalinina, with the pair now hopeful of their chances at a shot at the title following some big-name exits in a tough draw.

“I’m super happy,” the former world No. 4 said on court after the match. “It was a really tough match and she’s played some great tennis, so I’m super proud of myself.

“I had to bring my best tennis in order to win but I felt that I served well, and returned well. I brought my good game so that’s why I won.”

It’s the 24-year-old’s first triumph over a top-two opponent since she beat then world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty en route to the Australian Open title three years ago.

As for Sabalenka, it was a first loss before the quarter-final stage of any event during a stunning season for the Belarusian, where she has a tour-leading record of 29 match wins so far this term.

Following the defeat she posted on social media that she was "exhausted" and in need of some "recharge" ahead of Roland-Garros.

Kenin’s next opponent, Kalinina, posted a 6-2 6-2 victory over Anna Blinkova earlier in the day.

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