Iryna Begu led 1-0 in sets and 5-3, but somehow managed to hold on for every point and turn a match that at one point seemed lost in her favor. Our player reached the second round of the Australian Open 2023, beating Elizabeth Mandlik, the 129th ranked WTA racket (3-6, 7-6(1), 6-2).

The first set of the match was a real break: Iryna led 2:0, but the fate of the set was decided after six breaks.

The service games became a real nightmare for both players, we note that Iryna lost the opening games in four sets in a row (6-3 for the American).

Elizabeth was able to manage important moments better, and the diversity of the American athlete’s game more than once made our player feel uncomfortable.

Even in the second set, the coordinates did not change too much: there were also six breaks, and the American led at one point with the score 5-3, remaining only one game away from qualification.

However, Iryna never gave up the fight, and the fate of the set eventually settled on a tie-break, which was clearly won by Begu with a score of 7-1.

Having escaped from the borderline situation, Iryna took advantage of the wave of confidence that broke through her mind. Begu made three breaks, moved to 5-1, and our athlete finished the game in two hours and 38 minutes (6-2, after the third match point).

Know:

• In the second round of the Australian Open 2023, Iryna Begu will meet the winner of the match between Lucia Bronzetti (52 WTA) and Laura Siegemund (158 WTA).

It is updated.