Sabalenka defeated by Navarro at Indian Wells!

A big surprise in the Californian desert as Aryna Sabalenka failed to qualify for the quarter-finals. The Belarusian, world number 2, lost to American Emma Navarro, ranked 23rd in the world, in 1 hour 55 minutes and three sets (6/3, 3/6, 6/2).

Already struggling in her first two matches, against Peyton Stearns (6/7, 6/2, 7/6) and Emma Raducanu (6/3, 7/5), Sabalenka was unable to find a solution against Navarro. Her movements were not sharp enough and her attacking strokes too approximate, so the Belarusian won't do any better than she did last year when she reached the final of the tournament.

Navarro, 22, played a magnificent match to record the best victory of her young career. She will be playing in her very first WTA 1000 quarter-final. She will face either Maria Sakkari or Diane Parry.