The Romanians start the year in the Brisbane tournament » Who will Cristian, Cîrstea and Ruse play in the first round?
Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Saturday, 03 January 2026, 13:18 / Updated on Saturday, 03 January 2026 13:18
Three Romanians are on the main draw of the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane. Jaqueline Cristian (27 years old, 39th place WTA), Sorana Cîrstea (35 years old, 43rd place in the world) and Gabriela Ruse (28 years old, 88th place WTA) found out their opponents in the inaugural round.
The first tournaments of 2026 are ready to start, and the Romanian players have focused on the WTA 500 category draw in Brisbane.
Jaqueline Cristianthe top-ranked “tricolor” this week and directly entered the main draw, will face her in her first match of the new season on Marie Bouzkova (27 years old, 42nd place in the world).
It will be the fifth straight match, and the Czech player leads 3-1 (1-1 in the WTA circuit). The Romanian's only victory came in their most recent duel, at Prague 2023, on hard, in the 1st round, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Cristian will make his debut in Brisbane, while the opponent will perform for the fourth time, her best result, quarter-finals, being achieved last year, when she was stopped by Aryna Sabalenka.
Sorana Cîrstea – Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the “veterans” duel
Sorana Cîrstea she also had direct access to the Brisbane grid thanks to her world ranking position. In the inaugural round, she will be dueling with Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (34 years old, 47th place in the world).
Sorana Cîrstea in action in the tournament in Beijing Photo: Guliver/GettyImages
The two have met seven times so far, and the Romanian has the advantage, 4-3. On hard, the score is balanced, 2-2and the most recent duel took place at the Australian Open 2022, when Sorana prevailed 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Their first confrontation took place at Fes 2008, almost 18 years ago!
Last year, Cîrstea had her first free tour in Brisbane. She was world number 26 and met her in the second round on Linda Noskovato whom he lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-6. It will be the Romanian's third participation in the Australian contest, after those in 2018, when she reached the 2nd round, and 2024. In 2011, she contested qualifications, without surpassing them.
It will be Pavlyuchenkova's eighth appearance, having reached the final in 2013 – defeated by Serena Williams –, the semi-finals in 2011 and the “quarters” in 2010, on debut, and in 2016. The most recent appearance is that of 2020.
In case of a victory, Sorana Cîrstea will meet her in the 2nd round on Jelena Ostapenko.
Gabriela Ruse climbed the leaderboard from the qualifications
Gabriela Ruse in action in Beijing PHOTO Imago Images
Gabriela Ruse got on the board after two qualifying rounds, wins with Alana Subasic (Aus), 6-1, 6-0, and Zeynep Sonmez3-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Her opponent in the first round of the main draw will be Sofia Kenin (27 years old, world number 28), the 2020 Australian Open champion. The two have never faced each other before at any level.
Gabi is in Brisbane for the first time, while the American will play for the third time after 2020 and 2023, with the best result being qualification to the second round.
The tournament in Brisbane is loaded with the best players of the moment. Seven of the top ten are on the board, led by Aryna Sabalenkathe WTA leader and untitled champion. Also, Amanda Anisimova, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
