Dayana Yastremska

Osaka joins list of big names missing Aussie Open

Two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka became the latest star to pull out of the opening Grand Slam of the year on Jan. 8, leaving the tournament deprived of some of the biggest names in the game.

No reason for the Japanese player's withdrawal was given with organizers Tennis Australia tweeting: "We will miss her at AO2023."

Irina Begu through to Prague Open round of sixteen

Bucharest, Aug 11 /Agerpres/ - Romanian tennis player Irina Begu breezed on Tuesday 6-2, 6-2 past No. 9 seed, Latvian Anastasija Sevastova, into the round of sixteen of the WTA Tour event in Prague, featuring $ 202,250 in prize money. Begu (age 29, WTA's 82nd) managed an impressive victory, her first in the WTA circuit after the break imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Romania's Cirstea through to BNP Paribas Open second qualifying round

Romanian tennis player Sorana Cirstea defeated US's Danielle Lao 6-3 6-4 in the first qualifying round of the women's singles event at the 9,035,428-USD BNP Paribas Open tournament in Indian Wells (California). The 28-year-old Cirstea, world number 98, prevailed in one hour and 15 minutes over 27-year-old Lao, world number 153.