Sorana Cîrstea missed the qualification in the final of the WTA 250 tournament in Osaka, being defeated in three sets by Canadian Leylah Fernandez (27th WTA), score 1-6, 6-2, 4-6, after almost two hours of play.
Sorana Cîrstea could not qualify for the final in Osaka Photo/Getty Images
The Romanian started the match well, managing a break right on the number 4 favorite’s serve, but then, the quality of her game dropped and she lost six games in a row, quickly losing the first set, in just 32 minutes.
In the second set, the game became more balanced. Sorana found her rhythm, served better and managed the break at 3-2, from which point she clearly dominated until the end of the set.
In the decisive set, Sorana Cîrstea started better and led 3-1, seeming to dominate the game. However, Leylah Fernandez reacted quickly, winning three consecutive games, two of them on the Romanian’s serve, and taking control of the match.
Cîrstea managed to equalize at 4-4, but could not confirm her break, and Fernandez, the finalist at the US Open 2021, took advantage. The Canadian served without emotion, closing out the set and the match 6-4, and becoming the first finalist of the tournament in Osaka.
Jaqueline Cristian could be Leylah Fernandez’s opponent in the final in Osaka
After defeating Sorana Cîrstea, Leylah Fernandez will play in the final of the tournament in Osaka with the winner between Jaqueline Cristian and Czech Tereza Valentova (78th WTA).
Jaqueline, 27, reached the semi-finals without playing after Naomi Osaka withdrew before her quarter-final match.
A qualification to the final would represent the best career performance for the Romanian athlete, who would enter the world top 40 for the first time. In case of victory in the semifinals, Jaqueline would climb to the 37th WTA position, and a triumph in Osaka would bring her the 34th position in the world ranking.
