Sorana Cirstea had made it clear: this season would be her last. At 36, the Romanian chose to call time on her career at the end of 2026, after twenty years on the WTA Tour. But before hanging up her racket, she delivered one of the most compelling stories of this Roman edition.
Everything changed in the third round. Against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Cirstea pulled off the biggest upset of her career. Down 6-2, 0-2, she fought back to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in 2 hours and 14 minutes. Three breaks in the deciding set, nerves of steel: it was her first-ever victory over a world No.1.
In the quarterfinals, Jelena Ostapenko was swept aside 6-1, 7-6(0), as Cirstea reached her first Rome semifinal at the age of 36, in her farewell season.
The run ended against , who prevailed 6-4, 6-3 in 75 minutes. Cirstea had broken early to lead 2-0, but the American reeled off four straight games to seize control. When asked about a possible change of heart, Cirstea smiled: "Maybe if I win the tournament, I promise I'll think about it."
With a 25-7 record in 2026 and a title in Cluj-Napoca, the Romanian proves that a farewell tour can still shine. Rome will remember this Cirstea: fearless, liberated, and dangerous. The goodbye tour continues, with Roland-Garros on the horizon.
