Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published on Sunday, 08 March 2026 22:31 / Updated on Sunday, 08 March 2026 22:36
Sorana Cîrstea (35 years old, 38 WTA) was defeated in her last match at Indian Wells by Linda Noskova (21 years old, 14 WTA) in three sets, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4. The Romanian will retire at the end of this season.
Sorana Cîrstea played this year for the 14th time at Indian Wells and reached the third round. It was his last appearance at the tournament in the Californian desert, his best result being a quarter-final appearance in 2023.
Sorana, who announced her retirement at the end of the season, played her last match at the WTA 1,000 tournament against Linda Noskova.
Before the confrontation at Indian Wells, Cîrstea and Noskova had met twice in the WTA circuit, sharing their victories. In Brisbane, in 2024, Linda prevailed in three sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, and in Dubai, in 2026, Sorana won 6-4, 6-1.
The first set lasted almost an hour
Sorana Cîrstea needed a lot of patience in the first set of the meeting with Linda Noskova. A set that lasted almost an hour and in which he kept his composure in delicate situations. The player from the Czech Republic led 4-2, but the Romanian came back immediately. At 5-4, he saved two set points, then played flawlessly in the tie-break, winning 7-5.
The second set was equally balanced, the first and only break came at 3-3, Noskova managing to apply her qualities, that tennis of hers where she is aggressive and defends like no other.
Encouraged by Romanian fans, who had scarves with his name on them, Sorana managed to save two set points again at 5-3. The scenario then changed, her opponent managed to prevail after 46 minutes with 6-4.
Linda Noskova, stronger in the decider
Sorana started the decider undisturbed, even though she had lost the second set, she did not concede a single service point, showing her intentions and determination. She then tormented Noskova, who had a longer service range. “Sorana, Sorana!” was shouted in the stands, and the Romanian went to 2-1 with some emotions, saving a break point. Then it was the opponent's turn to parade, winning the game 40-0.
The collapse of Sorana's game happened in the next game, when she did not manage a single point on her own serve. Linda Noskova consolidated her advantage and was leading 4-2. The Romanian broke this streak of the Czech.
It got close to 4-3, but Linda kept her cool, even though she started 0-30, and made it 5-3. Sorana did not let herself be overwhelmed by emotions and resisted, making it 5-4, a game in which she was disturbed by some shouts from the fans in the stands. She had nothing to do after that, her opponent winning 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 33 minutes.
This is how the story of Sorana Cîrstea's last match at Indian Wells was written, following the separation from Miami (March 17-29).
Romania remains without a representative at Indian Wells, after Jaqueline Cristian was also defeated on Sunday evening, she succumbed to the world leader Aryna Sabalenka.
