Romania's tennis player Sorana Cirstea advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open on Sunday, September 3, after defeating Swiss Belinda Bencic in two sets 6-3, 6-3.

This is a major win for the 33-year-old Romanian, as it marks her first appearance in the quarters at the US Open and the second appearance in this phase at a Grand Slam after the 2009 Roland Garros.

Next up for Cirstea at the US Open is 10th seed Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic.

"I've got a big smile on my face because I've been working really hard lately. It's extraordinary. I worked hard, but it paid off. I'm happy with how I played this week," Sorana Cirstea said after Sunday's game, as quoted by the Romanian Tennis Federation.

By reaching the US Open quarters, Cirstea secured a prize of USD 455,000 and 430 WTA points.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Facebook/Sorana Cirstea)