Sorana Cîrstea gives up her withdrawal, but with one condition: It remains valid”

• In the round of 16, Sorana Cîrstea got rid of Elena Rybakina (26 years old, #2 WTA), eliminated in the second round. There, the opponent will be the Chinese Xiyu Wang (25 years old, #148 WTA), who also beat Yuliia Starodubtseva (26 years old, #55 WTA) on Friday, score 6-3, 7-5, producing the surprise. If she gets past Wang, Sorana will beat the winner of the duel Mirra Andreeva (8 WTA) – Jil Teichmann (170 WTA) in the quarterfinals.

Sorana Cîrstea spoke about the conditions at Roland Garros, but also about her promise to postpone her retirement (scheduled at the end of this season) if she wins a Grand Slam tournament. “Yes, the promise remains valid”, said Sorana Cîrstea.

Sorana Cîrstea, reaction after qualifying for the round of 16 at Roland Garros: “I'm quite lucky”

“Yes, I am extremely happy for the level I produced today. I think that, so far, I have played quite well and today I played a good match from the beginning to the end. I didn't give the opponent many opportunities, I respected the tactical plan, I played aggressively, but at the same time I was also disciplined. I'm glad I can finish in an hour, not to stay so long in these conditions in Paris.

Unfortunately, a few players had problems, but in my case I'm quite lucky. I've handled the heat pretty well throughout my career. Including here the first two games I had in the evening session, and today, again, the game was quite short and I didn't have to feel those temperatures. Tennis, unfortunately, is a sport that differs from week to week and I have always said that the one who adapts the fastest is the one who will win. I have enough experience and maturity to be able to handle things and know how to play in any temperature.

I remember that match in Shenzhen with Xiyu Wang, I lost it, but I think many years have passed since then and things have changed enormously. She is a player in form, although the ranking may not be extraordinary at the moment. She is a dangerous player who was around 30. She knows how to play on clay, I think it will be a difficult match, but at the same time I am playing well, I am healthy and in a good moment of my career. I hope to find the necessary solutions and make a good match”, Sorana Cîrstea said, according to eurosport.ro.

Sorana Cîrstea's best results in Grand Slam tournaments

• Australian Open: 2017, 2022 – round of 16

• Roland Garros: 2009 – quarter-finals, 2021 – round of 16, 2026 – qualified for round of 16

• US Open: 2023 – quarterfinals