The Dubai Tennis Championships is the last tournament in the Middle East, as all the top stars were present in the draw. With the tournament progressing, many players were eliminated, leaving only eight players in the draw.
Another upset was witnessed in the quarterfinals, as the reigning Wimbledon champion, Marketa Vondrousova, suffered a hard defeat against 22-year-old Sorana Cirstea.
Despite a dominating first-set lead, Vondrousova fell short to the in-form Romanian. Cirstea battled it out hard in the second set, winning in the tiebreak before unleashing a beast in the final set. With a great comeback, World No. 22 was able to steal the losing match.
I think this has to be the biggest comeback of my career. At a set a end 5-1 I wasn’t thinking about winning anymore. I was like ‘at least make it nice for the public. Said a shocked Cirstea after her match win.
With over seven aces, the Romanian put up a stellar show to beat the reigning Wimbledon champion 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-2. With this win, she extended her head-to-head lead by 3-1 and advanced to the semi-finals in the UAE.
Vondrousova’s loss added to the other upsets that were caused in the tournament. First, it was Aryna Sabalenka, who lost early in the round of 32; then it was Maria Sakkari; and now Vondrousova. With this win, Cirstea fixes her position in the last four as she sets up for a semi-final run in the tournament.
Sorana Cirstea saves 6 match points to beat Marketa Vondrousova and record her best run so far in 2024
After a disappointing 2024 so far, Sorana Cirstea recorded her best match as she beat the reigning Wimbledon champion for the third time in her career. Coming back from a set and four games down (6-2, 5-1), she saved six match points and won the match to advance to the semi-final of the tournament.
After Vondrousova hit the match point to the net, the Romanian jumped in the air with delight as she posed an unimaginable comeback. On the cusp of a loss, she converted it into one of her best wins, as she eyes that final spot.
Cirstea will now face the in-form Jasmine Paolini, who is fresh off two great wins against Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari. In addition to that, the Italian also gets a rest day courtesy of a walkthrough by Elena Rybakina, who had to pull out at the last moment.
Paolini will face the dangerous Cirstea for a spot in the finals as they set their eyes on the Dubai Tennis Championship trophy.
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