Andrea Mitu and Miriam Bulgaru failed to reach the main draw of the 2024 Australian Open, both Romanians losing their matches in the first round of qualifying for the first Grand Slam of the year.

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Mitu (217 WTA) was defeated in three sets by Australian Thalia Gibson (229 WTA, wildcard), 6-3, 1-6, 6-2. The match lasted an hour and 50 minutes.

The Bulgarian (192) lost to China’s Yesin Ma (220 WTA), 7-5, 6-2, after an hour and 47 minutes of play.

Romania is also represented in the qualification by Iryna Bara (183 WTA), who will beat Yulia Hatuka (213 WTA / Belarus) in the first round. The game will take place on Tuesday, from 10:00 (Romanian time).

Know:

• Three representatives of Romania are admitted directly to the main draw of the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne: Sorana Kirstia (26 WTA), Ana Bohdan (66 WTA) and Jacqueline Christian (87 WTA).

• Iryna Begu (79 WTA) announced her withdrawal, and Gabriela Ruse (134 WTA) also decided not to play in the qualifiers.

• Simona Halep is out of the Australian Open for the second straight year pending a decision on her CAS case.

The 2024 Australian Open will be held from January 14 to 28. The reigning champions are Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenko.

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