Sorana Cîrstea qualified, on Monday, in the round of 16 of the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), endowed with total prizes of 922,573 dollars, after defeating Caroline Garcia, 6-7 (4 /7), 6-4, 6-4.
Sorana Cîrstea, the first victory since 2024
Cîrstea (33 years old, 26 WTA) won her first victory since 2024, after two hours and 41 minutes. The Romanian was coming after six consecutive defeats, three of which this year.
The Romanian started the match with the French Garcia very well and led 3-0 and 4-1, but was tied, 4-4, missed two set points at 6-5, and then bowed in the tiebreak (4- 7). In the second act, Cîrstea made a break at 4-4 and prevailed 6-4 after saving six break points in the final game. In the decider, Sorana started with a break and kept its advantage until the end (6-4). Cîrstea finished with 4 aces and 2 double faults, while Garcia (30 years old, 21 WTA) had 7 aces and a double fault.
Sorana Cîrstea is now 3-2 in direct matches with Garcia, against whom she has three consecutive victories, after 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 last year at Indian Wells in the round of 16 and 6-2, 6-3 also in 2023 in Miami, in the second round.
The Romanian secured a check for 13,590 dollars and 60 WTA points, and in the round of 16 she will face the third favorite, the Greek Maria Sakkari.
Cîrstea is 2-1 in direct matches with Sakkari (28 years old, 9 WTA), but the last match was won by the Greek player, last year, in the second round in Cincinnati, with 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.
