WTA

“A little door is always open”: Sorana Cirstea, into the Rome second week, hasn’t quite shut the door on staying

Sorana Cirstea was going to retire at the end of 2026. Then, at 36, she beat the world No. 1 and reached the second week of the Italian Open. The door, she now says, is slightly open.

Cédric Rouquette

May 11, 2026

“It was like a check”: the rematch Naomi Osaka has been waiting for, and the test Iga Swiatek wants before Paris

Two years after their Roland-Garros first-round thriller, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek meet again in Rome – for very different reasons.

Cédric Rouquette

May 10, 2026

Rybakina marches past Eala as Rome’s favourites rule this part of the women’s draw

Second seed Elena Rybakina beat unseeded Alex Eala 6-4, 6-3 at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2026 to reach the round of 16, where she awaits the winner of Laura Siegemund and Jaqueline Cristian.

Cédric Rouquette

May 10, 2026

Sabalenka cites lower-back and hip issue after Rome exit, plans “days off” before Roland-Garros

Cédric Rouquette

May 9, 2026

Cirstea stuns Sabalenka in three on Campo Centrale as world No. 1 falls in Rome

Sorana Cirstea was 6-2, 2-0 down and 36 years old in the final season of her career when something shifted on Campo Centrale. The Romanian (No 26) outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 to land her first top-10 win in 14 months and end the Belarusian's tournament.

Cédric Rouquette

May 9, 2026