Miami Open 2023: Exceptional Cirstea shocks Sabalenka to reach first semifinal in ten years

Sorana Cirstea exceptional against Sbalenka to reach Miami Open semifinal

TENNIS Miami Open 2023: Exceptional Cirstea shocks Sabalenka to reach first semifinal in ten years

Funmilayo Fameso 00:42 - 30.03.2023

Sorana Cirstea achieved the biggest win of her career against Aryna Sabalenka to reach her first Miami Open semifinal.

In perhaps the biggest upset in the WTA circuit at Miami Open 2023, 32-year-old Sorana Cirstea stunned world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-4 to reach the Miami semifinals for the first time in her career.

It is the biggest win of Cirstea's career, her first WTA 1000 semifinal in almost ten years, and she is just the third player to beat the Australian Open Champion.

Cirstea's incredible stats reaching the semifinals in Miami

Cirstea records best career win against Sabalenka to reach Miami Open semifinals
Sorana Cirstea
  1. Her victory over Sabalenka is her 19th career top-10 win but her first top-two win.
  2. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (11 years between Cincinnati 2010 and Madrid 2021) is the only female player with the longest gap between two consecutive WTA-1000 semifinals than Sorana Cirstea (10 years between Toronto 2013 and Miami 2023).
  3. Cirstea is also the first player ranked outside the top 50 to win 9+ main draw matches at the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) in a single year: four in Indian Wells and five in Miami.
  4. Elena Rybakina (12) is the only female player that has won more WTA 1000 main draw matches than Cirstea in 2023 (10, level with Barbora Krejcikova).

Cirstea's post-match interview after defeating Sabalenka in Miami

The Romanian is yet to lose a set in Miami, said the win was a bit unexpected against Sabalenka.

“I think I’m a bit speechless. It’s a bit unexpected, to be honest. People like to keep count of the age, years, results, I never do that. I just mind my own business, work hard, do my thing, and believe in my game. I’m not defined by numbers.”

Cirstea says victory over Sabalenka was a bit unexpected

Cirstea also spoke on what has been responsible for the rediscovery of form and success this year.

“I’m very fit, playing well, I think I’m playing the best tennis of my life. I’m at a good place in my life, personally. I said many times I’m not defined by numbers, I love what I do. As long as I have results, I will be here.”

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