“There's no expiration date for ambition and dreams”: Sorana Cirstea closes in on top-20 debut after latest Rome Open upset

Sorana Cirstea secured qualification for the Rome Open semi-finals after a major win over Jelena Ostapenko by 6-1, 7-6(0), which sends her back to the final four of a WTA 1000 tournament for the fourth time in her career — three of those achieved after turning 32 years old.

The veteran Romanian is in the final year of her career — at least according to what she announced at the start of the season, before reaching the strong level she is currently showing. The 36-year-old player is now positioned at No. 10 in the Race — even above names such as Iga Swiatek, Belinda Bencic, Amanda Anisimova or Iva Jovic.

"I always said ⁠there's no expiration date for ambition and dreams," said Cirstea, the 26th seed in Rome. "I think everyone can see that I absolutely love this sport. I have so much passion for it. For me to play here and be in the semi-finals in Rome is absolutely amazing.”

The Romanian is now just one win away from reaching the top-20 for the first time in her career, and she already warned that she could extend her career if the results continue being this positive. "I'm so grateful to the sport. I'm just really, really enjoying my week in ⁠Rome so far."

Cirstea is living a second youth during this 2026 season, in which she won the Winners Open title in February of this year — defeating 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the final — in addition to compiling a 27-7 record this season.

In Rome, she began her path in the tournament by eliminating veteran Tatjana Maria in straight sets. Two days later, she produced the surprise of the tournament by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and knocking her out of the event. After that, victories against Linda Noskova and Jelena Ostapenko sent her into the semi-finals of the tournament.

“I've always said that ambition and dreams do not have an expiration date,” assured the World No. 27. “I think everyone knows that I absolutely love this sport. I feel enormous passion for it. The fact that I’m playing here and have reached the semi-finals in Rome is absolutely incredible! I’m very grateful to this sport. So far, I’m enjoying my week in Rome tremendously.”

Awaiting her in the semi-finals is Coco Gauff, the current World No. 4 and Rome finalist in 2023. Cirstea will seek to return to the final of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time since the 2013 Canadian Open, where the Romanian defeated rivals such as Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Petra Kvitova and Li Na on her way to the final, before eventually losing to the legendary Serena Williams.

This time, her opponent in search of the final will be Coco Gauff, who arrives after a major victory over Mirra Andreeva. The American has won all three of their previous meetings.

"I do feel physically stronger and smarter on the court," she said when asked about her game compared to earlier in her career. "...I'm a more complete player. I have more solutions. I'm more consistent. I have better weapons,” assured the 36-year-old Romanian.