Cibulkova Comes Back Against Cirstea

Posted: Jan 01, 1970

MADRID, Spain – Dominika Cibulkova had to do things the hard way once again to conquer Romanian wildcard Sorana Cirstea, coming back from a set down to find her spot in the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

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Cibulkova is no stranger to tough three set matches here in the Spanish capital: every one of her three matches so far have gone the distance, having to come back from a set down in the last two, and adding up to a total of six hours and thirty six minutes on court.

“Actually, I didn’t even realize I’d played all three set matches,” Cibulkova said. “I said to my coach, I feel so good. I don’t feel any pain or nothing. That says how physically good I’m prepared.”

So in keeping with that pattern, the Slovak didn’t panic when she found herself down a set to the Romanian wildcard after conceding an early break.

“Sometimes you win in two sets, sometimes it’s a different story,” she said. “While I’m winning, I don’t care what is the score. It was another great match.”

Cibulkova created more chances for herself in the second set, bringing up four break points before finally converting one at 5-3. The late break seemed to weigh on the Romanian’s mind heading into the deciding set. She had trouble holding on against Cibulkova’s renewed onslaught, dropping serve four times. In the end Cibulkova hit a combined 36 winners to 25 unforced errors against Cirstea’s 28 winners to 19 unforced errors.

With the win Cibulkova puts herself within striking distance of a Top 30 berth. Currently sitting at No.38, she is poised to move into the Top 30 and could climb as high as No.22 if she takes home the title.

And with a Top 30 ranking comes the possibility of a French Open seeding, but that’s not on Cibulkova’s radar just yet.

“Obviously, that would be nice. But if I will not make it, then I will not make it and it was supposed to be like this. Before, every time I was pushing something it never turned out well, so we’ll see.”