Sorana Cîrstea Reaches Roland-Garros Quarterfinals: “I Know How Hard I’ve Worked to Be Here, and I’m Not Surprised by the Result” (Interview & Photos)
Sorana Cîrstea has returned to the Roland-Garros quarterfinals 17 years after reaching the same stage for the first time, continuing one of the most notable runs of her career in Paris. The Romanian, ranked No. 18 in the WTA rankings, defeated China’s Xiyu Wang 6-3, 7-6 in nearly two hours to reach the last eight at the French Open. Her victory came after a disciplined and composed performance in which she built a strong lead but still had to withstand a difficult comeback attempt from Wang in the second set.
Cîrstea said she felt she started the match well and played with clear tactical discipline, but she also recognized that Wang was dangerous whenever given a chance to settle into the contest. Despite leading 6-3 and 5-2, Cîrstea described the encounter as complicated and stressed her satisfaction at closing it out in straight sets without needing a decisive third set. The win reinforced her confidence on the Paris clay, where she has shown consistency and resilience throughout the tournament.
The 36-year-old said the achievement did not surprise her, given the work she has put in and the level she believes she still has. Looking back on her first Roland-Garros quarterfinal appearance in 2009, she said she is now a more mature player with far more experience and a better ability to manage the pressures and rhythms of major matches. She added that she is trying to enjoy each week individually rather than focus too far ahead, even as she continues to produce strong results at an age when many players have already stepped away from the top level.
Cîrstea also addressed the possibility that this deep run could alter her plans to retire from the circuit at the end of the year. For now, she said, her decision remains unchanged. She insisted she is not trying to place extra pressure on herself or think too much about the future, preferring instead to remain focused on the present and on the matches in front of her.
Asked about the source of her current form, Cîrstea pointed to her competitiveness, ambition and perseverance. She described herself as someone who has always been willing to endure difficult moments, keep working and stay committed even when results were not going her way. Over time, she said, she has improved not only as a player but also as a person, becoming more disciplined and more mature. She credited tennis for much of that growth and said the accumulation of good decisions and years of consistent effort are now visible in her results.
Cîrstea will play her quarterfinal on Tuesday against the winner of the match between Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, the WTA No. 8, and Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann, ranked No. 170. She said she has no preference between the two, though she considers Andreeva the favorite. Whoever the opponent, Cîrstea said her approach will remain the same: stay focused, stay calm and play on her own terms.
