Sorana Cîrstea exits US Open in fourth round as Jessica Pegula praises Romanian

Jessica Pegula ended Sorana Cîrstea’s run at the 2026 US Open with a 6-3, 6-4 victory, then insisted the match had been far tougher than the score suggested.

The third-ranked American and No. 3 seed started strongly on Louis Armstrong Stadium, winning the first 13 points and moving 3-0 ahead. Cîrstea broke back and had three break points to level the opening set at 3-3, but could not convert them. Pegula took the set 6-3 on her fifth set point.

Pegula made the first break of the second set and quickly moved 4-1 ahead. When she served for the match at 5-3, Cîrstea again told the chair umpire that movement in the stands was disturbing her, as she had done at the start of the first set. Pegula closed out the set 6-4 and advanced to the quarterfinals in one hour and 25 minutes.

“I have a lot of respect for Sorana. She is an incredible fighter and a consummate professional. I know it may look like a straightforward match, but it was a real battle. It was definitely an intense match,” Pegula said after the match.

The result leaves Cîrstea at No. 15 in the live WTA rankings, the highest singles position of her career. Playing in the final Grand Slam tournament of her career, she has had a strong 2026 season, winning in Cluj, reaching the French Open quarterfinals and making the semifinals in Rome. Her US Open run earned her $480,000 and 130 WTA points. Pegula has now beaten Cîrstea four times in five meetings.

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I have a lot of respect for Sorana. She is an incredible fighter and a consummate professional. I know it may look like a straightforward match, but it was a real battle. It was definitely an intense match.