The Romanians on the main panel of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome have learned their opponents »Cîrstea and Cristian can take place in round 3

Three Romanian players entered directly on the main panel of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome, and the draw on Monday set their opponents in the first round.

Jaqueline Cristianwhich continues to be “tricolora” best ranked in the world hierarchy, in position 77, will face it for the second time in career on Alycia Parks (24 years old, number 51 WTA).

In their only previous match, the American imposed, 6-4, 6-4, in round 2 of the WTA 125 tournament in Angers, in December 2022, on the hard.

In this season, Jaq has only one victory on the slag, in the WTA 250 contest in Rouen, in front of Diane Parry, then giving in to the second round, then eliminated from the inaugural tour by British Kartal.

Parks has, in turn, a victory on the red surface in 2025, in Madrid, after in Bogota and Rouen did not pass on the first obstacle.

For Cristian it will be the second participation in the tournament in the capital of Italy. Last year he made his debut by passing qualifications and reaching the second round, where he was stopped by Coco Gauff after a three-set match, 6-1, 0-6, 6-3.

1 titleIn Rome at Simple it has Romania over the years, conquered by Simona Halep in 2020. She played two more finals, 2017, 2018, and Virginia Ruzici also played three finals, lost, in 1978, 1980 and 1981

Sorana Cîrstea, from Madrid to Rome

Anna Kalinskaya and Sorana Cîrstea with trophies from Madrid Photo Guliver/Gettyimages

In the third round of Rome, Jaqueline can take over with Sorana Cîrsteathe recent double champion from Madrid, but very good evolutions are needed to get there.

For now, Sorana, number 131 WTA, will have her opponent in the first round on Caroline Dolehide (26 years, the 73rd place), the two to be dueling for the first time.

The Romanian has only one match played on the slag, ceded to Madrid with Hailey Baptiste (USA), 2-6, 7-5, 6-7 (4). However, he gathered a lot of confidence thanks to the excellent route from the double.

Cîrstea is in the 9th total presence and the eighth on the main panel in the Rome contest, in which it debuted in 2012, reaching the third round, equivalent to the finals. An performance he repeated in 2024, but on a 128-position painting. With victories at Brenda Fruhvirtova and Madison Keys, Sorana was then defeated by Madison Keys.

Dolehide played in 2025 on the green slag from Charleston, reaching round 2, then on the European red one in Madrid – Tour 2 and in the WTA 125 contest from Saint Malo, all round 2.

Irina Begu face to face with an old acquaintance

Irina Begu, eliminated in the second round from Indian Wells/Photo: Getty Images

Irina Beguwhich occupies this week the 83rd place, meets in the inaugural round in Rome with an old acquaintance, Petra Kvitova (830 WTA), who returned to tournaments after becoming a mother. The two have been face to face in the circuit 7 times, the Czechs having an advantage, 6-1. The only victory of the Romanian came in 2022, at St. Petersburg.

Begu played two matches on the slag this season, in Charleston and Madrid, giving from round to Polina Kudemetova, respectively Diane Parry.

Irina will be for the 10th time in Rome-the ninth on the big picture. He played the first time in 2015, reached his peak performance in 2016, semifinals, and last year he advanced to the finals.

Kvitova only played in Madrid on the slag from the return, being eliminated from the inaugural round by Katie Volynets by 6-4, 6-0.