Jaqueline Cristian was defeated in Rome by a former world number one in a match lasting over three hours, in which she missed three match points
Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published Friday, 08 May 2026 23:49 / Updated Friday, 08 May 2026 23:57
Jaqueline Cristian (27 years old, 28 WTA) lost in the second round of the tournament in Rome, the Romanian being defeated by Karolina Pliskova (34 years old, 130 WTA) 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in three hours and two and a half minutes.
Jaqueline Cristian was supposed to play in the first round in Rome, but the withdrawal of Marta Kostyuk turned her into the 33rd seed, a status that sent her directly to the second round, because the favorites have a free round, and put Karolina Pliskova, former world leader and Grand Slam finalist, in the way.
Pliskova is in a comeback season after suffering a serious injury at the US Open, with the Czech player needing multiple surgeries and a lot of recovery. He returned to the finals of 2025, in smaller tournaments, and is now in his sixth tournament of the season, after reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid.
Champion in Rome in 2019 and finalist in 2020, 2021, Pliskova knows how to play at the Foro Italico. But Jaqueline gave him many problems in a match played on Friday night at the Pietrangeli arena.
Jaqueline Cristian, three missed match points in the second set
It was a long match with many challenges. Jaqueline Cristian won the first set in a tie-break with 7-5. She played very well against the experienced Pliskova and was in a position to close the match. He had three balls at 6-5 in the second set, but none of them came to fruition. Disturbed by the public at the last exchange, the Romanian did not concentrate in the tie-break, which she lost 2-7.
Jaqueline led 2-0 in the decider, but Karolina came back with two breaks in games three and seven.
Being the player with the most matches won from match points this season, Jaqueline also managed to save two in the match with Pliskova, but the victory did not come, the Romanian being defeated in three hours and twelve minutes by 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), 6-4. They hugged at the net as the fans cheered them on for the show they put on.
Sorana Cîrstea, duel with Aryna Sabalenka
Romania had three representatives on the main draw in Rome, Jaqueline Cristian, Gabriela Ruse and Sorana Cîrstea, remaining in the third round only with Sorana Cîrstea.
On Saturday, Sorana Cîrstea meets world leader Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, on the Central Court of the Foro Italico, in the third game of the day, the second starting not before 14:00.
