Incredibly successful result by Sorana Cîrstea. He beat the world number 1. “If I win the tournament, maybe I'll change my mind”

The Romanian tennis player Sorana Cîrstea, ranked 27th in the WTA, qualified, on Saturday, for the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome, after defeating the WTA leader, the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, in the third round.

Sorana Cîrstea (36 years old) prevailed against world leader Aryna Sabalenka (27 years old) in three sets, score 2-6, 6-3, 7-5, in two hours and 13 minutes.

Sabalenka needed a medical timeout in the third set.

Sorana Cîrstea, sensational victory

Cîrstea made an incredible comeback after Sabalenka prevailed without emotion in the first set, 6-2, having a very good performance in the second set, where, although she lost her serve twice, she managed to win three times on her opponent's serve, winning the second set 6-3, reports GOLAZO.ro.

In the decisive set, a small break occurred when our athlete managed the break and took the lead, 3-2, after an incredible range in which the two were equal 5 times in advantages.

Sorana then led 5-3 in the final set, but Sabalenka didn't give up and tied the score at 5.

The Romanian broke again on her opponent's serve, leading 6-5, and then served for the last game, closing the set at 7-5, for an incredible qualification.

“If I win this tournament…”

“I am very happy. Arina does not need any introduction, she is number 1 in the world. It is very nice to get such a result, but I work very hard”, said Sorana Cîrstea in the interview on the field, according to News.ro.

Asked what can convince her not to retire from tennis at the end of the season, she answered with a smile: “Maybe if I win this tournament…”.

In the round of 16, the Romanian will face Czech athlete Linda Noskova, world number 13.

By qualifying in the round of 16 at the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome, with total prizes of 7.2 million euros, Sorana Cîrstea secured a prize of 79,510 euros and 120 points.