World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka was beaten in the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells (California, United States) on Wednesday by the American Emma Navarro (23rd in the world), victorious over the Belarusian 6-3, 3 -6, 6-2.
Finalist of the tournament last year, Sabalenka, double winner of the Australian Open (2023 and 2024), had already had to save four match points in the previous round against the American Peyton Stearns. She will remain world No.2 next week.
The 25-year-old Belarusian failed to impose her game against Navarro, who reached the quarter-finals of a tournament of this level for the first time at the age of 22.
Winner of the WTA 250 in Hobart (Australia) in January, Navarro is the player on the circuit who has won the most matches this season (18), having already competed in seven tournaments.
“I felt very good, this kind of match is never easy. I played good tennis during the important moments. I managed to stay aggressive even on his serves which were very good, it allowed me to maintain the pressure,” Navarro appreciated from the court.
She will face on Thursday either the French Diane Parry (61st in the world) or the Greek Maria Sakkari (9th).