Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian advances to Australian Open second round after tough win
<p>Jaqueline Cristian is the first Romanian player to qualify for the second round of the 2025 Australian Open. She claimed a hard-fought victory against Croatia's Petra Martic in the first round on January 13, winning in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10/7).</p>

<p>Monday's <a href="https://ausopen.com/match/2025-petra-martic-vs-jaqueline-cristian-ws159#!stats" rel="noopener" target="_blank">match</a> lasted two hours and 35 minutes, according to <a href="https://agerpres.ro/sport-extern/2025/01/13/tenis-victorie-dificila-pentru-jaqueline-cristian-in-primul-tur-la-australian-open--1411970" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Agerpres</a>. Cristian, ranked 82nd in the world, dominated the first set but faced strong resistance in the second, where Martic, ranked 131st, leveled the match.</p>

<p>Jaqueline Cristian's next opponent will be Italy's Lucia Bronzetti, ranked 76th. The Romanian player leads their head-to-head record 4-1, though Bronzetti won their most recent encounter in Guangzhou last year.</p>

<p>Romania's Anca Todoni and Sorana Cîrstea were eliminated in the opening round in Melbourne, while Irina Begu and Gabriela Ruse are set to face off on Tuesday.</p>

<p><i>irina.marica@romania-insider.com</i></p>

<p><i>(Photo source:&nbsp;</i><meta charset="UTF-8" /><em>Inquam Photos /&nbsp;<a href="https://www.inquamphotos.com/users/simiontataru">Simion Sebastian&nbsp;Tataru</a>)</em></p>