Sorana Cîrstea found out her opponent in the 2nd round at Roland Garros: “I don't have any goals”
Article by David Istrate – Published on Monday, 25 May 2026 22:49 / Updated on Monday, 25 May 2026 23:22
Sorana Cîrstea (36 years old, 18 WTA) qualified for the second round of Roland Garros and will meet Eva Lys (24 years old, 81 WTA). After the victory with Ksenia Efremova (17 years, 625 WTA), the Romanian spoke about the first round in Paris, what she wants from this tournament, about retirement, but also about the opponent in the second round.
On Sunday, May 24, Sorana Cîrstea beat Ksenia Efremova 6-3, 6-1, managing to qualify without problems in the next round at Roland Garros. The young opponent of the world number 18 started with a lot of courage and energy, leading 3-1, but Sorana won 11 of the next 12 games and qualified for the second round.
“Normally, there are always emotions in the first match at a Grand Slam. Even after all this time, I want to play well and I care about this sport”, said Cîrstea, in an interview for eurosport.ro.
“The opponent started quite well, they started the match strongly and I had to adapt. I think from 1-3 I produced a solid game, where I didn't give so many gifts. I'm happy with the first match and the first performance here in Paris,” she added.
Sorana Cîrstea, duel with Eva Lys in the 2nd round at Roland Garros: “I'll see how high I can go”
Cîrstea had not won a match at Roland Garros for 4 years. Asked about her goal, she answered:
“I honestly don't have any goals. I don't really know statistics, I didn't know that I hadn't won here in 4 years. I try not to focus too much on these things and simply do my daily work, do my training, hang out with the team, feel good. I take it match by match. The next tour is the most important and I will see how high I can go this year.”
At the time of the interview, Sorana did not know her future opponent, but she praised both Petra Marcinko (20 years old, 51 WTA) and Eva Lys. “I have to do my job. Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow back to training, recovery, regular tournament schedule,” said the 36-year-old player.
Lys dominated the duel with Marcinko and prevailed 6-3, 6-0, qualifying for the second round. Cîrstea and Lys also met in the inaugural round of the Australian Open, the Romanian winning: 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
During the discussion, Cîrstea spoke once again about the retirement at the end of this season:
“I get this question every day countless times. Like I said, at the moment, the decision is unchanged. I want to retire at the end of the year. I'm really enjoying everything that's happening this year and I want to take it week by week. I want to do my job, be with a smile on my face, enjoy everything this sport gives me and walk out the front door of tennis.”
