‘Sorry she was mad about it’ – Osaka beats Cirstea

Naomi Osaka received a frosty handshake and a telling off from Sorana Cirstea after she beat the Romanian to reach the Australian Open third round.

After wrapping up a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win on Margaret Court Arena, a smiling Osaka made her way to the net to carry out the post-match formalities.

But Cirstea gave a brief cold handshake before exchanging some words with the Japanese 16th seed at the foot of the umpire’s chair.

Asked in her on-court interview what it took to get past Cirstea, Osaka said: “Apparently a lot of ‘come ons’ that she was angry about.”

The interviewer then asked if Cirstea was complaining because she could hear Osaka trying to pump herself up between the Romanian’s first and second serves.

“I think so, but like, she could have asked me. I’m sorry,” former world number one Osaka replied.

“She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open, so sorry she was mad about it.”

Cirstea, 35, announced last month that she would retire at the end of the 2026 season after 20 years on the WTA Tour.