Sorana Cirstea has announced she will retire after the season but the 36-year-old Romanian sure isn’t just cruising through tournaments in the meantime.

Cirstea defeated a world No. 1 for the first time since turning professional in 2006 when she rallied for a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory over top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday in an Italian Open third-round match in Rome.

“I’m very, very happy,” Cirstea said. “Aryna is an amazing player. I thought I played really well today. I’m working really, really hard. It’s nice to have this result as payoff.”

Cirstea’s previous highest-ranked victory was also over Sabalenka, when the latter was No. 2 in the world in 2023. That upset came in the Miami Open quarterfinals.

Cirstea won her fourth career title earlier this year when she prevailed in a tournament in Romania. She isn’t playing like someone winding down her career as she improved her record to 25-7 this season.

But she said her stellar play hasn’t led her to question the retirement decision.

“Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I’ll think about it,” Cirstea said with a smile.

Sabalenka sailed through the opening set before the tide turned.

She was dealing with pain in her lower back and even used a medical timeout while losing 4-3 in the final set.

“Felt like my body was limiting me from performing on the highest level,” Sabalenka said. “She stepped in and played incredible tennis. Didn’t really give me much opportunities. … But I guess we never lose, we only learn, so it’s OK.

“Probably it’s my lower back, connected to the hip, which is limiting me from the full rotation.”

While Sabalenka turns her focus to mending her body, Cirstea moves on to face No. 13 seed Linda Noskova of Czechia. Noskova sailed to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova on Saturday.

In another upset, No. 21 Elise Mertens of Belgium took over No. 9 Jasmine Paolini of Italy 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Mertens had a 3-0 edge in aces and converted 5 of 8 break points.

No. 3 Coco Gauff recovered from a slow start to post a 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 victory over Argentina’s Solana Sierra. No. 8 Mirra Andreeva of Russia fought off Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic for a 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 win.

Also, Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia rallied for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Zheng Qinwen of China.

–Field Level Media

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 28-year-old wing has been vital to New York’s playoff success, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, while shooting 53.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Anunoby posted 24 points and four steals for the Knicks in Game 2 vs. Philadelphia but suffered a right hamstring strain.

The injury forced him to sit out of Game 3. Nevertheless, the Knicks continued to roll, defeating the Sixers 108-94, led by a 33-point, nine-assist performance from Jalen Brunson.

The Knicks lead the series 3-0 and will look to close out the series on Sunday in Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media

Jorge Ruvalcaba, Cade Cowell and Eric Maxim Chuopo-Moting scored as the New York Red Bulls handed the Chicago Fire their second straight home loss, 3-1, on Saturday.

Ethan Horvath had three saves for the Red Bulls (4-5-3, 15 points), who ended a two-game scoreless drought and snapped their five-game MLS winless streak.

Hugo Cuypers scored in the 87th minute for Chicago (5-4-2, 17 points), which has suddenly slumped after putting together a five-game unbeaten streak.

New York rookie coach Michael Bradley topped his former U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter, who guides Chicago. Bradley was on the USMNT from 2006 to 2019, playing under Berhalter in the final season of his playing tenure.

Chris Brady had one save for the Fire. He has surrendered nine goals in the last four games after recording clean sheets in four of Chicago’s first seven matches this season.

In a static first half, Chicago had 59 percent of the possession but didn’t take its first shot on goal until the 44th minute.

New York scored on its ensuing possession in the 45th minute, as the Fire defense gave Emil Forsberg and Rubalcaba too much room on the left side of the box.

Rubalcava one-touched a pass from Forsberg to clear himself for a right-footed blast, which went into the top right corner for his fourth goal of the year and a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes into the second half, the Red Bulls struck again using their speed in transition. Ronald Donkor dribbled from beyond midfield and fed Cade Cowell who made an inside run.

Cowell received the ball on the right side of the box and scored with a low shot past onrushing Brady for his first goal as a Red Bull and a 2-0 lead.

New York defender Dylan Nealis blocked two Chicago shots, including a looping left-footed try from the right side by Puso Dithejane in the 67th minute. The ball floated over Horvath but Nealis darted to the goal line and booted it over the crossbar.

In the 81st minute, Choupo-Moting scored with a penalty kick into the left side net after Brady tackled Adri Mehmeti in the box.

Cuypers, who entered tied for the league lead in goals with 10, scored in the 87th minute off a rebound following a save by Horvat. It was his seventh goal in Chicago’s last four matches.

–Field Level Media