Rome: Aryna Sabalenka became the second star name dumped out of the Italian Open when she suffered a shock third-round exit on Saturday, as Jannik Sinner bids to continue his record-breaking Masters 1000 winning streak.

World number one and pre-tournament favourite for overall victory, Sabalenka followed men's tennis icon Novak Djokovic in going out early from the Rome event following a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 loss to Sorana Cirstea.

Sabalenka was visibly frustrated with her performance on centre court, muttering to herself with her shoulders slumped during an uncharacteristically sloppy display.

The 28-year-old had not been knocked out of a tournament in the round of 32 since the Qatar Open in February last year, and she looked set for a quick and clean victory after racing to the first set.

But she failed in her bid for a first tournament victory in the Italian capital, with Cirstea facing Linda Noskova in the next round after beating a woman at the top of the world rankings for the first time in her…