Sorana Cirstea achieved a remarkable straight-sets victory against former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko at the Italian Open 2026, securing a spot in the semifinals for the first time in her career. The 36-year-old Romanian displayed exceptional performance, defeating Ostapenko 6-1, 7-6(0) in just one hour and 31 minutes. Despite a strong comeback attempt by Ostapenko in the second set, Cirstea maintained her composure and sealed the win with a flawless tiebreak.
This win not only advanced Cirstea’s record to 25-7 for the 2026 season but also showcased her prowess on clay courts, where she now boasts a 10-2 record this year. She joins a select group of players, including Mirra Andreeva, Marta Kostyuk, and Anastasia Potapova, as one of the few to achieve at least 10 WTA-level clay-court victories this season. Cirstea is now on the verge of equaling her personal best of 11 wins in a single season, set in 2021.
Having secured her fourth WTA 1000 semifinal appearance, Cirstea’s journey in Rome has been notable for its longevity and success. Her previous semifinal appearances in prestigious events like Toronto in 2013, Miami in 2023, and Dubai in 2024 underscore her consistent performance at the highest level. Moreover, her victory against Ostapenko has leveled their head-to-head record at 4-4, with Cirstea emerging victorious in four of their last five encounters in 2026.
Cirstea’s impressive run in Rome has positioned her as the third-oldest semifinalist in the Italian Open’s Open Era history, following in the footsteps of tennis icons Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King. Additionally, she now ranks as the third-oldest semifinalist in WTA 1000 events, trailing only Serena Williams and Venus Williams. As she awaits her next opponent in the semifinals, Cirstea’s momentum in Rome continues to gather strength, marking a memorable chapter in her career.
