Wang Xiyu hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
PARIS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- China's Wang Xiyu saw her French Open run come to an end on Sunday after losing 6-3, 7-6 (4) to Romania's 18th seed Sorana Cirstea in the women's singles fourth round.
The match lasted one hour and 55 minutes. The opening game of the first set saw both players feel each other out, with several lengthy rallies taking place. Cirstea gained the upper hand after securing a break of serve and gradually took control, building a 5-1 lead. Wang responded by winning two consecutive games, but the Romanian maintained her composure to take the set.
Wang displayed greater variety in the second set and engaged Cirstea in a series of extended rallies. The Romanian once led 5-2, but Wang fought back strongly, breaking serve twice and winning four consecutive games to move ahead 6-5.
However, Cirstea held serve to force a tiebreak and relied on her experience at key moments to win it 7-4, securing victory and advancing to the French Open quarterfinals, where she matched her best result at Roland Garros.
Despite the defeat, Wang enjoyed a breakthrough tournament in Paris, reaching the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. After having come through the qualifying tournament, the 25-year-old was the only Chinese to advance beyond the second round of the women's singles main draw. ■
Wang Xiyu hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Sorana Cirstea hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Sorana Cirstea serves during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Wang Xiyu hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Wang Xiyu serves during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Sorana Cirstea reacts during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Sorana Cirstea greets the audience after the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Sorana Cirstea hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Wang Xiyu hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Wang Xiyu (L) hugs with Sorana Cirstea after the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
Wang Xiyu hits a return during the women's singles 4th round match between Wang Xiyu of China and Sorana Cirstea of Romania at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, May 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
