The China Mail - Sloppy Osaka grinds past 'mad' Cirstea to stay alive at Australian Open

The four-time major champion stunned the opening Grand Slam of the year on Tuesday when she emerged onto centre court for her first-round match decked out in an audacious "jellyfish-inspired" outfit.

Her white umbrella, matching wide-brimmed hat and long gauzy veil was complemented by a sleeveless turquoise dress over pleated white trousers.

The dress and trousers made another appearance, but the rest was left behind.

Instead, it was all business on Margaret Court Arena, with the 28-year-old downing experienced Romanian Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in exactly 2hrs.

But it was far from a vintage performance, with a bumper 41 unforced errors and the match ended with some angry words from Cirstea at the net.

The win put Osaka into a clash next with Australia's 168th-ranked Maddison Inglis, who outlasted German veteran Laura Siegemund over three tight sets.

"I tried to play well. I think I hit a lot of errors, but I tried my best," she said.

"She's a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open. So sorry she was mad about it.

"Honestly, I was just fighting as hard as I could. Just fighting," she added.

Osaka, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, laboured to a three-set win in her first round and it was more of the same against the 35-year-old Cirstea.

The 16th seed Osaka was broken immediately with a wild forehand gifting the Romanian, but she made amends with a sizzling backhand winner down the line to earn a break back for 2-2.

Osaka pounced again with a break to love for 5-3 as Cirstea's serve began to let her down and wrapped up the set in 34 minutes.

But Cirstea, in her 18th and last Australian Open having announced 2026 will be her final season, refused to go away.

She broke for a 2-0 advantage in the second set after the world number 17 spilled a backhand wide.

Osaka again responded to level, but she was plagued by errors, with 14 in the set, and the Romanian took it to a decider.

An off-court break revitalised Osaka and she broke straight away to take charge in set three, keeping her foot to the floor to stay alive.

G.Tsang--ThChM