Article by David Istrate – Published on Sunday, 19 April 2026, 22:43 / Updated on Sunday, 19 April 2026 22:44
On Sunday, April 19, the draw for the WTA 1000 Madrid tournament took place, which will take place between April 21 and May 3, in the Spanish capital. Romania has 4 players on the main draw of the competition: Sorana Cîrstea (36 years old, 26 WTA), Jaqueline Cristian (27 years old, 33 WTA), Gabriela Ruse (28 years old, 61 WTA) and Irina Begu (35 years old, 183 WTA).
On Tuesday, April 21, a new edition of the Mutua Madrid Open tournament, one of the most important clay competitions in professional tennis, will begin. Last year, the women's competition was won by Aryna Sabalenka, victorious in a duel with Coco Gauff: 6-3, 7-6.
Jaqueline Cristian and Sorana Cîrstea are directly qualified for the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open
Belarus is in Madrid and is eager to defend the trophy it won in 2025, and there could be obstacles in its way Jaqueline Cristianone of the 4 Romanians present on the main table of the competition.
The tennis player ranked 33rd in the world is directly qualified for the second round of the WTA 1000 Madrid, where she will duel either with Moyuka Uchijima (24 years old, 86 WTA), or with a player from the qualifiers.
In case of success, Cristian will most likely duel with Aryna Sabalenka (27 years old, 1 WTA), in the 3rd round of the tournament.
The other Romanian already in the second round of the competition is Sorana Cîrstea. She will face it either Elsa Jacquemot (22 years old, 60 WTA), or she will have an opponent from the qualifications.
Furthermore, in case of a victory, the 36-year-old player can meet in the third round even the finalist from 2025, that is, Coco Gauff (22 years old, 3 WTA).
Gabriela Ruse and Irina Begu will enter the competition from the inaugural round
Gabriela Ruse will play in the inaugural round against Antonia Ruzic (23 years old, 58 WTA)the athlete she defeated, a month ago, in the first round in Miami: 7-5, 7-6 (3).
If she wins again, Ruse will play Elena Rybakina (26, 2 WTA) in the second round. So, the top 3 tennis players from Romania can duel in the second or third round with the top 3 players in the world.
At the tournament in Madrid, after a significant break, Irina Begu will return to the tennis court. In the first round, she will duel with Laura Siegemund (38 years old, 51 WTA). If she gets a win, then Jasmine Paolini (30 years old, 8 WTA) awaits her in the second round.
