Romania has three representatives in the second round of the women’s doubles at the WTA 1000 Mutua Madrid Open, totaling some 7.7 million USD in prizes. Sorana Cîrstea has been drawn straight into the second round. On Tuesday, Irina Begu also advanced to the second round, while on Wednesday Jaqueline Cristian defeated Magdalena Frech, 7-5, 6-2 to make it to the second round. Aged 25, Cristian is now ranked 73rd in WTA standings.
In news from women’s handball, CSM Bucharest and Gloria Bistrița both won matches in the domestic championship. In the 22nd round, CSM Bucharest won 41-34 against SCM Râmnicu Vâlcea. Cristina Neagu scored 11 goals. Gloria Bistrița won 27-24 against Minaur Baia Mare, with Bianca Bazaliu being the top scorer with 8 goals. CSM tops the league tables with a 10-point lead over Gloria Bistrița and Rapid Bucharest.
This week saw the first matches in the sixth round of the Romanian Football Superleague group phase. In Group 1, Farul Constanța won 3-1 against Rapid Bucharest on home turf, marking the fifth defeat for the Bucharest team in this phase of the competition. On Wednesday, Sepsi Sfântu Gheorghe drew 2-2 against FCSB. On Thursday, Universitatea Craiova will play CFR Cluj. With four rounds remaining, FCSB leads the tables with 11 points ahead of the runner-up position, disputed by Farul Constanța and Universitatea Craiova.
In Group 2, FC Voluntari drew 0-0 against FC U Craiova at home, while FC Botoșani won 2-1 against visiting side Dinamo Bucharest. On Wednesday, Universitatea Cluj won 1-0 against Poli Iași. The last matches are slated for Thursday: UTA Arad will play Oțelul Galați while FC Hermannstadt will take on Petrolul Ploiești. Dinamo Bucharest and FC U Craiova are currently in relegation positions. (VP)