Jessica Pegula advanced to her fourth US Open quarterfinal in five years on Sunday at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center, defeating 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 6-4 in the Round of 16. Pegula praised her retiring opponent afterward as a consummate professional in what marked the final Grand Slam match of Cirstea’s career.
The Round of 16 clash inside Louis Armstrong Stadium delivered an intense, hard-fought battle despite the straight-sets scoreline. Facing Cirstea for the second time in eighteen days following a grueling three-set encounter at the Cincinnati Open, Pegula established an early 3-0 lead by winning the first 13 points of the match. However, the contest quickly evolved into a gritty baseline struggle characterized by a staggering 11 combined breaks of serve.
Inside the Louis Armstrong Stadium Battle
After jumping out ahead in the opening frame, Pegula had to fend off a surge from her veteran opponent, eventually holding from 0-40 in the sixth game and needing five set points to secure the first set. The second set followed a similarly turbulent trajectory. Pegula captured four of the first five games before Cirstea mounted a determined resistance.
The Romanian veteran saved four break points to pull within 4-2, sparking a sequence of four consecutive service breaks that ultimately decided the outcome. Pegula managed to withstand the pressure down the stretch, sealing a 6-3, 6-4 victory to punch her ticket to the final eight in New York.
Praise and Respect for Sorana Cirstea
With Cirstea planning to retire at the end of the season, Sunday’s match served as the curtain call for her storied major tournament career. Pegula made sure to emphasize her admiration during her post-match remarks.
“I think she’s such a great competitor and the utmost professional.”
Jessica Pegula, via Wtatennis
Pegula noted that while the score might have looked straightforward on paper, that was a battle
and it was definitely really intense.
Pegula praised Cirstea’s deportment throughout her career and her thoughtful insights during interviews, noting that she relates strongly to players who maintain a healthy perspective, enjoy competing, and simply appreciate doing what they love.
Quarterfinal Outlook at the USTA National Tennis Center
The victory advances Pegula deep into the second week of the tournament at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center. She now shifts her focus to the quarterfinals, where she will face the winner of the Round of 16 matchup between No. 21 seed Anna Kalinskaya and fellow American and No. 26 seed Emma Navarro.
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