Sorana Cirstea stunned the French Open crowd by dispatching Argentina’s Paula Solana Sierra 6‑0, 6‑0, a double bagel that marked the oldest Grand Slam main‑draw win in the Open era. The 36‑year‑old became the oldest player to reach Roland Garros’ last‑16 since Serena Williams in 2021.

Cirstea’s victory lifts her into a rare age bracket, matching Serena’s 2021 run and setting a new benchmark for longevity. She will retire at the end of 2026 but is riding one of the best spells of her 20‑year career, the first time she has advanced past the second round of a Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open.

Earlier this month, Cirstea reached the Italian Open semi‑finals, stunning world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka along the way. Her dominance was total, with Solana Sierra never reaching a game point. Cirstea credited consistency for her form, saying the season differs because she maintains discipline and professionalism while still seeing room for improvement.

Next up, she will face China’s Wang Xiyu. A win would see Cirstea reach the French Open quarter‑finals for the first time in 17 years, matching her best Grand Slam run at the 2022 US Open. The match will decide whether her historic season culminates in a deep tournament run.