Sorana Cirstea confirms retirement after Hong Kong exit, defends under-fire Mirra Andreeva

South China Morning Post · Paul McNamara · 2026-11-06 15:03 UTC

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Alexandra Shubladze’s mother and coach, Oksana, was overcome with emotion courtside after her daughter beat Sorana Cirstea into retirement on Friday to reach the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open semi-finals.

Competing in a main WTA 250 draw for the first time, Shubladze, whose progress was stalled by a torn anterior cruciate ligament two years ago, blew away Cirstea, the shell-shocked No 1 seed, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes.

Now, having achieved one “childhood dream” in Hong Kong when she visited Disneyland to “go on the roller coasters and watch some shows”, Shubladze is two wins away from the greatest achievement of her embryonic career.

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