Many people should be pulling for Sorana Cirstea. After a long career, she announced 2026 would be her final year on the WTA tour. The ironic part is that she has started to achieve success, though that didn't last against Coco Gauff in the semifinals of the 2026 Rome Masters.
Cirstea didn't play badly, but Gauff played far more efficiently than she had in many of her recent matches. Those were still matches she was able to pull out a win, however, proving how great a player she is. Cirstea is capable of greatness, but never at the level of Gauff. Few can.
In the first set, while the American did have one double fault, an area where she can struggle a great deal, she also landed 81 percent of her first serves and won 77 percent of those points. She fought off the only break point she faced.
Coco Gauff dispatches Sorana Cirstea at the 2026 Rome Masters
She had to play at such a high level, though. Cirstea was still pushing herself deep into games. Gauff got the only break of the set, and that would be enough to give her a 6-4 victory.
In the second set, each player struggled to hold serve. Both were broken multiple times. Even though Gauff jumped ahead 4-2, the lead didn't feel safe. The Romanian broke back to get back on serve. Her powerful forehands give the WTA No. 4 issues.
Cirstea, who has risen to No. 21 in the live rankings, matching her career high, has joked that if she were to win the title at the Italian Open, she might rethink her retirement plans. Many might have wished that would happen, as Cirstea has always played with intensity and passion.
But she wasn't going to beat Gauff, especially with her struggling so much on her serve. The American got the break right back to lead 5-3, and while she struggled with her own serve in set two, she wasn't going to give up her lead again. She held with ease to take the second set 6-3.
Coco Gauff will next face the winner of the Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina match in the final. Swiatek is playing at an exceedingly high level on clay currently and will be the favorite at the Rome Masters moving forward.
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