Iryna Begu left the Australian Open in the second round, our athlete lost to Lauri Siegemund (fourth consecutive victory over Iryna), score 7-5, 5-7, 3-6. This result left Romania without a representative in women’s singles since the first Grand Slam of the year.

Iryna Begu, the fourth defeat in a row against Laura Siegemund

Seeded in Melbourne under number 27, Iryna had a better start to the match against Siegemund, our player was leading 2:0 and 3:1 at the start of the match.

The first set needed “overtime”, and Begu was more inspired at the end of the set: she prevailed 7-5 (there were no less than seven breaks).

The second set turned out to be very balanced: Iryna had seven break points, missed all of them, and Laura managed only one (6-5).

The German closed the set with her serve (7-5), and the match went into a deciding set.

Because the morale was seriously shaken after several missed opportunities in the second set, Iryna disarmed in the decisive match.

Our player’s mental block was felt all over the net and Siegmund took full advantage.

The owner of the 158th place in the WTA hierarchy put game after game in her favor, and the score eventually showed 4-0 in her favor.

Unfortunately for Begu, there was no turning back, the German won the set 6-3. The game lasted three hours and 12 minutes.

Begu vs Siegmund match statistics

Aces: 0-0

Double faults: 8-3

Points won on first serve: 57%-55%

Points won on second serve: 45%-55%

Winning shots: 25-40

Unforced errors: 53-60

Total points: 107-111

Siegemund advances to the third round of the Australian Open, where she will face the winner of the match between Leila Fernandez (40 WTA – US Open 2021 finalist) and Caroline Garcia (fourth seed from Melbourne).

Know:

• Iryna Begu will receive a check for 158,850 Australian dollars and 45 WTA points.

• This is Siegemund’s fourth consecutive success in matches against Begu, now the score is 4:1 in favor of the German.

• Romania was left without singles athletes: Jacqueline Christian, Ana Bohdan, Sorana Kirstia and Patricia Sig left the Australian Open in the first round, and Iryna Begu in the second.

Australian Open 2023 will be held from January 16 to 29. The reigning champions are Ashley Barty (retired) and Rafael Nadal (retired).