Olaniyi AyoolaIn a spirited first-round clash at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, wild card Sorana Cîrstea staged a remarkable comeback to defeat American qualifier Alycia Parks in three sets. The Romanian veteran, currently outside the top 50 in the WTA rankings, rallied from a set down to claim a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory, showcasing her experience and tactical poise against the powerful but inconsistent Parks.
The match began with Parks dictating the tempo early on. Known for her explosive serve and heavy groundstrokes, she broke Cîrstea’s serve twice in the opening set, sealing it with confidence. Cîrstea struggled to find her rhythm initially, committing several unforced errors as she tried to counter Parks’ pace. However, the tide began to turn in the second set when Cîrstea adjusted her strategy, opting for more variation in her shot selection and targeting Parks’ movement.
Cîrstea’s deeper court positioning and improved consistency allowed her to extend rallies and draw errors from her younger opponent. With a break of serve in the middle of the second set, the 34-year-old began to exert control. Her experience on big stages began to show as she calmly held serve and maintained pressure, leveling the match at one set apiece.
In the deciding set, both players fought hard, trading breaks early on. But it was Cîrstea who proved steadier in the key moments. She broke Parks again in the seventh game and managed to serve out the match despite some resistance. The victory marked an important win for Cîrstea, who had entered the tournament as a wild card with modest expectations. Her ability to dig deep and adapt under pressure underscored why she remains a dangerous opponent on the WTA tour, particularly on hard courts.
For Parks, the loss will be disappointing given her promising start. However, her performance in the qualifying rounds and her explosive first-set display suggest that she continues to make strides on tour. The 23-year-old American will look to build on her momentum in upcoming events.
Cîrstea now advances to the second round in Dubai, where she will face a seeded opponent. With her blend of experience and renewed confidence, she will be hoping to extend her run in one of the tour’s premier events of the Middle Eastern swing.
Musa
