India, May 15 -- Tensions boiled over for world number one Aryna Sabalenka during her quarterfinal contest against Zheng Qinwen at the Italian Open in Rome. Having lost the first set and behind in the second, the Belarusian star was handed an audible obscenity warning after an altercation with a fan in the stands.

The world number one on the WTA tour, Sabalenka was amongst the favourites for the Rome title, having reached the final in 2024. However, China's world number eight Zheng proved to be a match for Sabalenka at Centre Court. Having won the first set 6-4, the Olympics 2024 gold medallist broke Sabalenka's serve in the very first game of the second.

A fan got involved, trying to egg on Sabalenka by shouting from the stands: "Come ...