second title since 2026

• The title from Linz is the 7th trophy won in doubles by Sorana Cîrstea, after the ones obtained at Morocco Open (May 2008), Luxembourg Open (October 2008), Estoril Open (May 2010), Texas Open (August 2011), Lugano Open (April 2019) and Madrid (May 2025). The Romanian has lost 5 doubles finals.

• In the singles final in Linz, Mirra Andreeva (18 years old, 10 WTA) defeated Anastasia Potapova (25 years old, 97 WTA) 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 and won the title

Pairing up for the first time, Sorana Cîrstea and Shuai Zhang entered the tournament in Linz as main favorites for the title. They respected their status, won the first 3 matches in 3 sets and qualified for the final of the competition, where they faced Jesika Maleckova and Miriam Skoch.

Sorana Cîrstea and Shuai Zhang, without losing a set on the way to the title

The Romanian-Asian pair played very well, controlled the match from start to finish and won 6-3, 6-2. Cîrstea served great, while Zhang played very well at the net and put her huge doubles experience to good use.

Maleckova, on the other hand, was the more consistent player, while Skoch appeared to be the weak link in her team. Cîrstea and Zhang won their opening set 6-3 and had a splendid start to the second set, which had no less than 6 breaks.

The veterans from Romania and China dominated the game, overcame the difficult moments and, at 3-1, when they were leading 0-40, they turned the score around and distanced themselves to 4-1. In the end, Cîrstea and Zhang won 6-3, 6-2, becoming champions in Linz, Austria.

Sorana Cîrstea: “I would like to thank my partner for teaching me to play doubles”

I want to congratulate the opponents. I would also like to thank my partner for teaching me how to play doubles this week. I felt really good and I think it showed on my face. It was a wonderful week. As you know, it's my last tournament and I'm happy to put this trophy from Linz on display

– Sorana Cîrstea

First of all, congratulations to the opponents, a great tournament and we will definitely meet again. Good luck! When I talked to Sorana about playing doubles here, it was the draw in Miami and we matched each other. But we played and age didn't matter, we enjoyed tennis and won the tournament. We wanted to show everyone that we love tennis

– Shuai Zhang, at the awards ceremony

Live. Sorana Cîrstea/Shuai Zhang vs. Jesika Maleckova/Miriam Skoch, Linz final: 6-3, 6-2

END OF THE MATCH. 6-3, 6-2. Sorana Cîrstea and Shuai Zhang are champions in Linz.
5-2. The 5th consecutive break of the final. Cîrstea and Zhang are within a range of winning the WTA 500 Linz title.
4-2. Break on Cîrstea's service. Maleckova and Skoch do not give up.
4-1. Similar scenario, but with a different ending. This time, Cîrstea and Zhang were led 40-0 on Maleckova's serve and, thanks to some very good returns, they turned the score around and pulled away to 4-1.
3-1. Break for Czech women. The Romanian-Chinese pair saved two break points, came back from 15-40 to 40-40, but lost the decisive point.
3-0. The second break of the second set for Cîrstea and Zhang. Maleckova and Skoch, without solutions in front of the veterans of the WTA circuit, at the first tournament they play together.
2-0. On Sorana's service, her team does not lose in this final! The excellent service of the Romanian is complemented by a great game near the net of the Chinese.
1-0. Break for Cîrstea/Zhang. Maleckova starts the second set with a double fault, while the Czech opponents seem to have settled into their rhythm.
The start of the second set. Jesika Maleckova serves.

End of the first set. 6-3. A range dominated by Cîrstea and Zhang, who close the inaugural sequence and are one set away from the title.
5-3. Cîrstea and Zhang come back from 15-40 and secure a first set point, but the opponents resist and close the game. Next is Sorana at work.
5-2. The Asian served very well at the start of game 7, and her team again led 40-0. Jesika Maleckova tried to respond and put pressure on her opponents, but they overcame the difficult moment and took advantage of a mistake by Skoch.
4-2. Cîrstea and Zhang led 40-0, being close to a new break, but Skoch played flawlessly in the net area, and the game needed a decisive point. Sorana found a great shot between the two Czechs and closed the sequence.
3-2. The Romanian serves very well, hits another ace and leads her team to the second set won in a row.
2-2. Re-break for Cîrstea/Zhang. Miriam Skoch serves modestly and seems to be the weak link of her team. On the other hand, Shuai, a doubles specialist, is playing excellently.
1-2. Another game that needed a decisive point and a first break of the final. A few mistakes by the Romanian-Chinese pair made the players from the Czech Republic take advantage.
1-1. A range much more balanced than the first, needing a decisive point, after a sequence managed very well by Sorana.
1-0. Three excellent serves by the Romanian: the first led to a volley by her partner, the second was an ace, and the third caused an error by her opponents. Game to 0 for Cîrstea/Zhang.
Start of match. Sorana Cîrstea serves first in this final

Sorana Cîrstea had a very good career in the singles competition as well, stopping in the quarterfinals. The Romanian got past Sinja Kraus (23 years old, 119 WTA) and Dalma Galfi (27 years old, 103 WTA) and took a set from Mirra Andreeva, but lost 6-7 (4), 6-4, 2-6 after two hours and 19 minutes.

After this tour, Cîrstea will go to France, to Rouen, where the number 2 seed is. In the first round, she will duel with Fiona Ferro (29 years old, 216 WTA).

6Sorana Cîrstea has doubles titles (Fes, Luxembourg, Estoril, Dallas, Lugano, Madrid)

The course of the pair Sorana Cîrstea/Shuai Zhang in Linz

• Optimum finals: 6-1, 6-3 vs. Sloane Stephens/Katie Volynets

• Quarter finals: 6-3, 6-2 vs. Miyu Kato/Liudmila Samsonova

• Semifinals: 7-5, 6-2 vs. Ulrikke Eikeri/Quinn Gleason

• Final: 6-3, 6-2 vs. Jesika Maleckova/Miriam Skoch