Sorana Cirstea continued her remarkable form in the twilight of her career as she thrashed Solana Sierra 6-0 6-0 to reach the French Open fourth round.
The 36-year-old is the oldest player in the Open era to claim a ‘double bagel’ victory in a Grand Slam main draw.
The win over Argentina’s Sierra sees Cirstea become the oldest player to reach the last-16 in the women’s singles at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2021.
Romania’s Cirstea will retire at the end of 2026 but is enjoying one of the best spells of her 20-year career.
This is the first time Cirstea has advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open.
Earlier this month she reached the Italian Open semi-finals, beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka along the way.
Cirstea was dominant from start to finish, with her 21-year-old opponent not reaching game point once in the match.
“I don’t feel I’m doing anything different. I feel I am still working the same – the same discipline and professionalism,” Cirstea said.
“Every time I step on court I feel I have a lot of things to improve. I have goals I want to improve and that keeps me alive.
“I’ve always been there the last couple of years around [world number] 20, but I feel what’s different this season is the consistency.”
Cirstea will face China’s Wang Xiyu next. Should she advance, she will reach the quarter-finals at Roland Garros for the first time in 17 years and equal her best run at a Grand Slam.
Her previous major quarter-final appearance came at the US Open in 2022.
