Article by Adrian Jitea – Published Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6:38 p.m. / Updated Thursday, May 14, 2026, 6:41 p.m.
Sorana Cîrstea (36 years old, 27 WTA) was defeated in the semifinals of the Rome tournament by Coco Gauff (22 years old, 4 WTA), score 4-6, 3-6. The American returns in the last act at the Foro Italico and revealed the key to success.
Coco Gauff proved once again that he feels at home on the clay of the Foro Italico. The first performance was the semi-final in 2021. He repeated it in 2024 and bettered it last year when he reached the final act. She was defeated by the local Jasmine Paolini, score 4-6, 2-6.
And in 2026 he will fight for the trophy. Her opponent will be the winner of the match Iga Swiatek – Elina Svitolina, scheduled tonight, no earlier than 21:30.
Coco Gauff, after qualifying for the final in Rome
On clay, immediately after the victory over Sorana Cîrstea, Coco Gauff gave a short speech.
“Thank you for your support! I'm having fun, I'm enjoying tennis at the moment. The first rounds were complicated. There are matches where you just have to survive and move on. I was one step away from being eliminated, so I'm grateful for another final.
I learned something from every match. I constantly improved my game. I think it was seen today on the court”, said Coco Gauff, on the court, after the victory over Sorana.
Thanks to the 650 points obtained to qualify for the final, Gauff consolidated his place in the hierarchy for the Tournament of Champions. It currently occupies the 6th position. She faces Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Elina Svitolina.
And Sorana Cîrstea occupies an honorable position in this live, virtual hierarchy. He is on 11th, 512 points away from the coveted top 8.
VIDEO. Summary of the semifinal lost by Sorana Cîrstea to Coco Gauff
