Sorani Kirstea will turn 33 on April 7, but the athlete from Tirgovishte is playing the best tennis of her career under Thomas Johansson. The Romanian, who reached the semi-finals at the Miami Open (WTA 1000), said she was speechless after her win against Aryna Sabalenko.

Sorana Kirstea is surprised after defeating Aryna Sabalenko at the WTA in Miami

“I think I was speechless, I went on the court knowing that it would be a difficult match, Arina hits hard, I knew I had to stay on the ground. It’s a bit surprising and I’m very happy with my performance today.

I think people like to remember dates, years, ages… I don’t attach much importance to it, I try to play as well as possible, to prepare better and better with my coach. I am not determined by numbers, the main thing is to keep my head and work hard.

Today was an incredible atmosphere, I was happy to be here, I was supported by those in the stands. Wherever we play, there are Romanians who support us, and that is very important for us. I am grateful to everyone who came to the match both for me and for Aryna” – Sorana Kirsteaquoted by Eurosport.

Know:

• This is the second best result of Sorana Kirstea’s career after reaching the Rogers Cup final in 2013 (then she was defeated by Serena Williams).

• The qualification to the semifinals is the best result recorded in the career of Sorana Kirstea at the Miami Open. She also beat a WTA Top 3 player for the first time.

• By advancing to the semifinals of the competition in Florida, Sorana secured a prize of $352,635 and 390 points in the WTA singles ranking.

• A very good move from the tournament in Florida will help Sorana to make an important jump in the world singles hierarchy, in WTA Live our athlete takes 41st place – a jump of 33 positions.

• Kirstya will fight for a place in the grand final of the tournament in Miami with the winner of the match between the Russian Kateryna Alexandrova (18 WTA) and the Czech Petra Kvitova (12 WTA).

• Sorana Kirstea is the first player outside the WTA Top 50 to win at least 9 main draw matches at the Sunshine Double (4 in Indian Wells and 5 in Miami) in the same year.

Sorana Kirstea, excellent performance at the Miami Open

I round: 7-6(6), 6-2 against Fernanda Contreras Gomez (179 WTA)

II round: 6-2, 6-3 against Caroline Garcia (4 WTA)

III round:7-5, 6-1 against Karolina Muchova (55 WTA)

Optimal:7-6(3), 6-4 against Marketa Vondrousova (103 WTA).

Quarters: 6-4, 6-4 against Aryna Sabalenko (2 WTA).