Sorana Cîrstea and Jaqueline Cristian, eliminated in the first round of the doubles competition at the Miami Open
Article by David Istrate – Published on Sunday, 22 March 2026 23:32 / Updated on Sunday, 22 March 2026 23:33
Sorana Cîrstea (35 years old, 35 WTA) and Jaqueline Cristian (27 years old, 36 WTA), the best ranked Romanian tennis players, were defeated in the inaugural round of the doubles competition at the Miami Open, score 1-6, 5-7, by Tereza Mihalikova (27 years old, Slovakia) and Olivia Nicholls (31 years old, Great Britain).
On Sunday, March 22, Sorana Cîrstea and Jaqueline Cristian, who decided to pair up in doubles at the Miami Open, entered the first round, having the chance to qualify for the “eighties”, where they would have met the Italians Sara Errani (38 years old, 764 WTA) and Jasmine Paolini (30 years old, 7 WTA).
Qualified in the “eighties” in singles, Jaqueline Cristian and Sorana Cîrstea were quickly eliminated in doubles
Cristian was coming after sensational victory against Ekaterina Alexandrova (31 years old, 11 WTA)score 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (5), which brought him qualification for the round of 16 of the singles competition.
Cîrstea managed to qualify in the 4th round last night, after a success against Elisa Mertens (30 years old, 19 WTA)score 6-3, 6-2. So the two, with high morale due to the performances in the singles competition, tried to join forces and perform in the doubles competition as well.
However, Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls got off to an excellent start and won their opening set 6-1. Cîrstea and Cristian came back in the second set, which was more balanced, but they were unable to hold on in the end.
The Slovakian-British pair prevailed 6-1, 7-5 and qualified for the round of 16 at the Miami Open. Teresa and Olivia's opponents will be Errani and Paolini, the number 1 favorites for the title.
Instead, Cîrstea and Cristian remain to focus on the round of 16 of the singles competition. The 35-year-old player will meet Coco Gauff (22 years old, 4 WTA), while the 27-year-old tennis player will play against Jessica Pegula (32 years, 5 WTA).
Sorana Cîrstea's career at the Miami Open
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Round 1: 6-3, 6-4 vs. Shuai Zhang (37 years old, 61 WTA)
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Round 2: 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 vs. Linda Noskova (21 years old, 13 WTA)
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Round 3: 6-3, 6-2 vs. Elise Mertens (30 years old, 19 WTA)
Jaqueline Cristian's career at the Miami Open
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Round 2: 6-4, 7-5 vs. Peyton Stearns (24 years old, 47 WTA)
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Round 3: 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (5) vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova (31 years old, 11 WTA)
