Romanian player Jaqueline Cristian, 27 years old, ranked 33rd in the WTA world rankings, honorably succumbed to the WTA world leader Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus, with a score of 1-6, 4-6, in the 3rd round in Madrid, at the former tournament sponsored by Ion Țiriac, a Masters 1000 event.
The Romanian player performed well against the Belarusian, especially in the second set, where she was very competitive, and stated after the match that she will only take the positive aspects, moving confidently towards Rome and Roland Garros.
She repeated her previous best performance in Madrid, reaching the 3rd round, also achieved in 2024, and says there are good things to take forward:
"For me, honestly, it was a positive match, where I come out with my head held high, because even though the first set was 6-1 for her and quite rapid, I don't have much to reproach myself for. She entered the match impeccably and was everywhere. I couldn't see the court very well; she ran from one corner to another. I was a bit amazed. But at the same time, you play against the world number one, and you know you have to expect that."
"I am happy with the level of play I had in the second set because I competed well against her. We were, let's say, on equal footing in many points. I had some very good chances, which, unfortunately, I couldn't take because she served very well. And you know that happens in crucial moments. You have to expect the best because that's why she is number 1."
"At the end, I told her during the handshake that now she can go and win the tournament, as she did at Indian Wells, because I usually lose to the tournament winner. She told me that I am a fighter and to continue to fight and be myself," stated the Romanian tennis player for GSP.ro.
In the round of 16, Aryna Sabalenka will face either Anhelina Kalinina (29 years old, 110 WTA) or Naomi Osaka (28 years old, 15 WTA).
D.A.