Tennis: Sorana Cartea defeats Elise Mertens and qualifies for round of sixteen of Doha tournament

Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea has qualified for the round of sixteen of the WTA tournament held in Doha (Qatar), with total prizes at stake of 3,113,000 US dollars, after a spectacular win on Wednesday against Belgian Elise Mertens, 7-5, 6-4.

Cirstea (27, WTA's 38) sealed her victory after 1 hour and 40 minutes of playing against a better-seeded opponent, Mertens (22), world's no. 20. Cirstea won a cheque worth 33,750 US dollars and 105 WTA points, following next to meet Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, world's no. 4.

Agerpres.