Ostapenko on revenge, Cirstea improving with age
ROME — The Internazionali BNL d’Italia is popping into Jelena Ostapenko’s revenge tour.
The Latvian was a mixed 0-8 versus her previous three opponents on the Foro Italico this week — 0-1 towards Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 0-3 towards Zheng Qinwen and 0-4 towards Anna Kalinskaya. She got here from a set right down to defeat each Ruse and Zheng, then put out a 6-1, 6-2 rout of Kalinskaya on Monday in simply 70 minutes to achieve her fifth quarterfinal in Rome.
Not that Ostapenko ever considers herself overmatched.
“I believe I’m improving on daily basis, and I at all times knew I can beat everybody when I play my sport,” she stated after defeating Kalinskaya. “I just need to work on the things I have to work on — the psychological half and all that. If it sticks collectively, I is usually a very harmful participant.”
And even a 0-4 document could not instill any doubts?
“I honestly didn’t really care much,” Ostapenko stated. “I do know I’m a greater participant.”
The contest wasn’t with out some spice — Kalinskaya took an off-court medical timeout after the primary set and there was no handshake on the finish, one thing Ostapenko stated was the No. 22 seed’s selection.
“I used to be prepared for all types of simulations with the physio calls and all these items,” Ostapenko stated. “She’s a tricky player that is trying to get you out of the rhythm when she starts losing. But the most important thing is that I’m really proud of myself, the way I was able to manage all that, losing three video games and enjoying a extremely good match.
“I really feel like there are such a lot of nice gamers and we’re respecting one another. I know that I can be emotional on the court, but at the end of the day, I respect the other players.”
Ostapenko additionally fed off the “cosy vibes” of Pietrangeli, the place she now owns a 7-2 profession document (together with 3-0 this 12 months to this point).
“The energy on that court is amazing,” she stated. “So many people all the time cheering for me, so it’s really nice. It’s not that big court, but it’s super cozy, and I think nice for the players and for the fans because they can be closer to each other.”
The “Penkotrangeli” vitality is over for one more 12 months, although — from the quarterfinals on, all matches shall be scheduled on Centrale, together with Ostapenko’s tilt towards No. 26 seed Sorana Cirstea.
“She’s a brilliant good particular person,” Ostapenko stated. “I think she’s playing really well this year. We played many times and for sure it’s going to be a good match. I think [2026 being Cirstea’s final year] gives her a bit of freedom, in a good way, because you don’t have that pressure that you have to defend points and stuff like this. She’s such a tough employee, too. She was injured a couple of instances, and it is actually onerous to return again from accidents.”
At the age of 36, Cirstea backs her present degree towards her 22-year-old self
Having dealt with the upset of the event, ousting No. 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka within the third spherical, Cirstea backed it up with a 6-2, 6-4 win over No. 13 seed Linda Noskova to achieve her first quarterfinal in Rome. She agreed that figuring out this shall be her final season has enabled her to play with fewer inhibitions.
“All those expectations just went through the window, because I didn’t have to provide anything anymore,” the Romanian stated.
But Cirstea’s excessive degree hasn’t simply began in 2026. This event marks her eleventh profession quarterfinal at WTA 1000 degree or above. Five got here between 2009 and 2017. Since 2023, the 12 months she turned 33, she’s tallied six — regardless of a prolonged bout with plantar fasciitis that necessitated surgical procedure in 2024, and despatched her rating right down to No. 169 by June final 12 months. Is she merely a greater participant now than in her 20s?
“With aging you mature a lot, you have experience,” she stated. “You know how to handle moments a little bit better. Overall you are a much better player, if you are healthy. In my case I feel I’m very, very good. I’m way younger than what my passport says.”
So who does she suppose would win, if she needed to play the Cirstea of 2013 — the 12 months she reached her profession excessive rating of No. 21? She does not hesitate.
“I hope Sorana from now,” Cirstea stated. “I do feel physically stronger and smarter on the court. I don’t remember much from that time. I’m a more complete player. I have more solutions, I’m more consistent, I have better weapons. Also, I worked really, really hard, more than 10 years. I believe also the game evolved. I’m very happy to have evolved with the game.”
Speaking of that profession excessive, one other rating milestone may quickly be inside attain for Cirstea. Two extra wins in Rome would safe her Top 20 debut — a outstanding risk contemplating she climbed again to No. 22 in 2024 earlier than foot surgical procedure interrupted her momentum. But like a lot of her farewell season, she’s viewing all of it by a wider lens.
“It would mean a lot because I feel I’ve put in the work,” she stated. “It could be like a celebration of all this work and all of the sacrifices I’ve made. [But] on the identical time I’m making an attempt to not be outlined by a quantity. If I’m No. 21 or No. 17 on the finish of the day, my life will not change. It’s the identical factor.
“I don’t want to have ranking goals. I’d rather have goals regarding my game where I can improve and see how far I can go.”
