Sabalenka suffers early Italian Open exit

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 career.

Sabalenka also had to have a time out for what appeared to be a problem with her left hip, casting doubt on her fitness ahead of Roland Garros later this month.

- Gauff through, Paolini out -

French Open champion Coco Gauff is still in the hunt after taking over two hours to beat Argentina's Solana Sierra 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

Gauff has struggled on clay this season, with a last-16 exit in the Madrid Open coming after a disappointing run to the quarter-finals in Stuttgart.

Jasmine Paolini's defence of her Italian Open title came to an early end after the home favourite was knocked out by Elise Mertens,

Local favourite Paolini lost 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to Mertens following an error-strewn performance.

The 30-year-old is set to drop out of the top 10 of the women's world rankings after failing to reach the fourth round of a fourth consecutive tournament.

Her fate turned on her failure to capitalise on three match points against the serve at 6-5 in the second set, after which she lost the first two points of the tie-break and never recovered.

"I didn't make the most of my chances, I needed to keep a clearer head, keep my cool better in those moments," Paolini told reporters.

"I'm very disappointed to lose but there were moments in which I felt good on the court and I was competitive and positive."