(Rome) Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2e world champion and winner of the Madrid tournament last Saturday, was eliminated from entry Thursday at the WTA 1000 in Rome by the American Sofia Kenin (134e) 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, just over two weeks before Roland-Garros (May 28-June 11).

Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title in Australia in January, had yet to be knocked out when she entered a tournament this year.

And Kenin, ex-4e world who never really confirmed her title at the Australian Open in 2020, will face the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina (47e) for a place in 1/8 e of final.

The 24-year-old American therefore put a stop to a brilliant start to the Belarusian season, as the clay Major looms towards which she was advancing in the shoes of one of the favorites in particular after her final won in Madrid against the world N.1 and defending champion in Paris, Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka has indeed won three of the five finals played in 2023 (WTA 500 in Adelaide, Australian Open and Masters 1000 in Madrid) and had never lost before the quarter-finals of the seven tournaments she has played since. 2023.

For her part, Kenin had reached the final at Roland-Garros in 2020, during the edition moved from spring to autumn due to COVID-19.