Sorana Cîrstea once again showed that age is just a number as the 36-year-old Romanian continued her remarkable farewell run, reaching the Italian Open semi-finals with a dominant 6-1, 7-6(0) win over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Cîrstea, who plans to retire later this year, has already produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the third round on Saturday.

She is now just one victory away from breaking into the world’s top 20 for the first time in her career, having previously peaked at No. 21 in August 2013.

“I always said there’s no expiration date for ambition and dreams,” said Cîrstea, the 26th seed in Rome.

“I think everyone can see how much I love this sport. I have so much passion for it. To be here and reach the semi-finals in Rome is absolutely amazing.

“I’m so grateful to the sport. I’m really, really enjoying my week in Rome so far.”

Cîrstea’s impressive form on clay has seen her suffer just two defeats this season on the surface—against two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff at the Madrid Open and rising Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva at the Linz Open. She also had to withdraw from the Open de Rouen semi-finals due to a leg injury.

Fittingly, her run in Rome now sets up a semi-final clash against one of those two opponents.