Australian Open: Alexandra Dulgheru through to second round

Romanian tennis player Alexandra Dulgheru qualified on Tuesday for the second round of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, after defeating Australian youngster Storm Sanders in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. 

Dulgheru (26 years-old, WTA No. 61) claimed victory after one hour and 14 minutes, despite hitting less winners (10-14) than her opponent, (21 years-old, WTA No. 355), who instead made twice as many unforced errors (41-19). 

For her win Dulgheru received 60,000 Australian dollars and 70 WTA points and is due to face in the second round the winner of the match between Angelique Kerber (Germany), the tournament's seventh seed, and Misaki Doi (Japan). 

On Monday, Monica Niculescu was the first Romanian player to qualify for the second round of the tournament. Next, she is due to face Russian player Elizaveta  Kulichkova, last year's Australian Open winner in Girl's Singles. 

Also on Tuesday, another Romanian player included in the main draw, Andreea Mitu (24 years-old, WTA No. 96), lost to Julia Goerges (Germany) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Irina Begu (25 years-old, WTA No. 31) lost her opening round match to Sweden's Johanna Larsson (27 years-old, WTA No. 50) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2. 

In Tuesday's evening session, WTA No.2 Simona Halep is due to make her debut at the 2016 Australian Open and will face Shuai Zhang (China). AGERPRES