Sabalenka slammed by US outsider Navarro

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka went down in a three-set shocker on Wednesday, falling victim to Emma Navarro to exit the Indian Wells Masters.

The American winner ranked 23rd, delivered a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 verdict in just under two hours as she dismissed the reigning Australian Open champion.

2023 Indian Wells runner-up Sabalenka was coming off a straight-set defeat of Britain’s Emma Raducanu; but her previous matches here had required three sets .

The 25-year-old took a month off after winning her second straight Melbourne Grand Slam title and may have paid the price for her absence from the court.

“This year at Indian Wells I didn’t feel my best on these courts,” Sabalenka said. “I tried to adjust. 

“We tried to work on a couple of things, make sure I’m there and I’m fighting for this title.

“We did our best and we’ll learn. we’ll work a little bit more on the movement, and hopefully I’ll be ready for Miami.”

Navarro earned her second career win over a Top 10 player after beating Maria Sakkari at San Diego last season; she also scored her first victory over a Top 5 opponent.

With the sets tied at one apiece, Navarro came out ahead after a run of three straight service breaks, adding another to end Sabalenka’s hopes on the challenger’s second match point.

Navarro nudged ahead in the race for the most Tour match wins this season, taking her total to 18 while Grand Slam winners Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek each have won 17 so far.

Main photo:- Emma Navarro serving to victory in The Tennis Garden by WTATennis.com