Article by David Istrate – Published on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 21:16 / Updated on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 21:17
Alex Corretja (51), former world number 2, prefaced the clash between Sorana Cîrstea (35, 41 WTA) and Naomi Osaka (28, 17 WTA) in the second round at the Australian Open, saying that he expects the quadruple Grand Slam winner to advance.
Tuesday, January 20, Sorana Cîrstea beat Eva Lys 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 (24 years old, 39 WTA)while Naomi Osaka won 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 against Antonia Ruzic (23 years old, 65 WTA). So, the two will duel in the second round of the Australian Open, and the winner will play either Maddison Inglis (28 years old, 168 WTA) or Laura Siegemund (37 years old, 48 WTA).
Alex Corretja, about Sorana Cîrstea: “I think it's good, simply, to believe in her and to feel that she has a chance”
Alex Corretja, TNT Sports and Eurosport analyst, prefaced the confrontation between Cîrstea and Osaka, explaining how the Japanese will be able to resist the Romanian.
“Naomi and Sorana – you know, it was a great match for Naomi yesterday because she was hurt. She needed to get through the tough times in the match. I think Naomi will be ready against Sorana, even though she will have to be very patient, because she (No Sorana) is always a player who moves well, who is very smart and who will take advantage of her chances and speed. Maybe (no Naomi) will have to not get too desperate at some points, because sometimes, when she's under pressure, she makes too many mistakes,” said the double finalist at Roland Garros, according to Eurosport.
“The good thing about Naomi is that she will try to dictate, but Sorana is someone who knows exactly how to play, because she has been around for a long time and knows the players, she has beaten her before, and that always gives you a feeling that you can do it again,” added Corretja.
The Spanish journalist stated that the fact that he is in the last season of his career can be an advantage for Cîrstea.
“The fact that she is playing in her last season can give her a sense of “ok, I'm going to go on the field and give it my all”. It's never easy to enjoy the process, because sometimes you don't realize how difficult it is”, explained the former tennis player, with 17 titles in his record.
“But once you've decided you're not going to play anymore, I think it's good for Sorana to just believe in herself and feel she has a chance. So, I expect a nice match, but I definitely think Naomi will move on; shows freshness and will not be easy to beat”, concluded Corretja, conveying that he expects the victory to go to Naomi Osaka.
Naomi Osaka, before the duel with Sorana Cîrstea: “I think it will be a very good match”
Osaka and Cîrstea met only once before, in 2015, in the first qualifying round at Wimbledon. Then the Romanian managed to win with 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 the confrontation with the Japanese teenager.
Is it Cîrstea? Sorana Cîrstea? Hmm, ok, have I ever played with her? I don't know if I've played against her, but obviously I've seen her before and ironically watched her match. He played with Lys, right? Yeah, so I watched her match before I got on the court and I didn't even know she was going to be my opponent. But I thought he played very well, very solid. I don't know the pace of the shots, but yes, I think it will be a very good match
– Naomi Osaka, at the press conference, when she found out that she will play against Sorana Cîrstea
