Sorana Cirstea defeated Linda Nosková in a three-set match at the Miami Open on Wednesday, March 20, 2026, marking the second time this season the veteran Romanian has bested the rising Czech star. The final score was 2-6, 6-3, 4-6, a result that halts Nosková’s momentum after a strong showing at Indian Wells. This match was the third meeting between the two players in just a matter of weeks, adding another chapter to their developing rivalry.
Nosková – Cirsteaová 2:6, 6:3, 4:6
The No. 14 seed, Nosková, entered the match having already faced Cirsteaová in the previous two tournaments. The opening set began with Cirstea facing two break points, but she confidently saved both to hold serve. Nosková then appeared poised to break her opponent, though, play was interrupted by rain.
Play resumed after nearly three hours, but Nosková struggled to regain her footing. Trailing 1-2, she committed a series of errors, including a forehand into the net on break point, and failed to convert three of her own break opportunities, giving Cirstea a commanding 4-1 lead.
Despite facing a 0-40 deficit, Nosková managed to stay alive in the set, saving four break points. However, Cirstea remained unfazed and extended her lead to 5-2 before closing out the set with a double fault from the Czech player.
Nosková came out stronger in the second set, making fewer mistakes and securing her first break of the match to grab a 1-1 lead. While she found her rhythm, Cirstea began to falter, allowing Nosková to build a 4-1 advantage with two breaks.
Both players then lost serve, but Nosková maintained a two-break lead at 5-2. Another rain delay, lasting approximately an hour, interrupted the match once more. Despite the interruption, Nosková ultimately secured the second set on her opponent’s serve, leveling the match at one set apiece.
The deciding set began with a familiar scenario for Nosková, as she lost her serve for the third time in the match. Cirstea consolidated the break to lead 2-0. Nosková then had two break points of her own, but was unable to capitalize and tie the score.
Cirstea didn’t face further trouble on her serve, holding firm to secure the victory after roughly two hours of play. The win confirms Cirstea’s excellent form this season, and marks a successful rematch after previous encounters this year. The veteran will look to continue her strong run in Miami.
This was the second defeat to Cirstea for Nosková in recent weeks, having as well lost to the Romanian in Dubai. Prior to this, she had defeated Cirstea in Indian Wells on her way to reaching the semifinals.
Despite her impressive run to the semifinals in Indian Wells, Nosková couldn’t replicate that success in Miami, falling in the second round. This marks her earliest exit in the tournament, with a previous best result of the third round in 2024. It was her first tournament of the season where she failed to win a match.
Cirstea improves her impressive 2026 record to 16-4, including a title win on home soil in Cluj. She will now face Elise Mertens in the third round of the Miami Open.
Výsledky turnaje WTA 1000 v Miami
Článek byl původně publikován pro Livesport Zprávy.
