Four Romanians obtained a position on the Indian Wells (California) main panel. Three of them are competing from day one, namely today. Sorana Cirstea is the Romanian female player with the best position in the world top so far. She will try to overcome the fact she was not in good shape during the last weeks, when she suffered five consecutive defeats.
The Indian Wells tour starts on Wednesday, March 10, with single and double matches. Besides the WTA and ATP points that can reshape world charts, the players will also fight for the money to be awarded: the winner of women single competition will get 700,000 dollars, while the men single' winner - 605,500 dollars.
Romania will have four representatives on the women single main panel: Sorana Cirstea, Ioana Raluca Olaru, Edina Gallovits and Alexandra Dulgheru, the latter to play on Thursday, March 11.
Edina Galovits managed to qualify after defeating Czech Sandra Zahlavova (6-4, 7-5) and French Pauline Parmentier (6-3, 6-1). Monica Niculescu will not make it to the main panel: she was defeated in the first qualification round by Thai player Tamarine Tanasugarn, score 6-0, 6-1.
Sorana Cirstea will play against Kaia Kanepinin the first round, trying to end up the chain of defeats she's been through. The Romanian's last victory dates back to Australian Open, when she won against Australian Olivia Rogowska, score 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Since then, Cirstea has recorded only defeats:
Australian Open (second round): Sorana Cirstea - Alisa Kleybanova (Russia) 4-6, 3-6
Paris (first round) Sorana Cirstea - Melanie Oudin (USA) 3-6, 0-6
Dubai (first round) Sorana Cirstea - Francesca Schiavone (Italy) 2-6, 5-7
Acapulco (first round) Sorana Cirstea - Sharon Fichman (Canada) 2-6, 0-6
Monterrey (first round) Sorana Cirstea - Sara Errani (Italia) 2-6, 3-6.
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