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Naomi Osaka baffled by beaten opponent Sorana Cirstea's 'frosty' handshake after Australian Open clash - 'She was mad about it'

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A tense exchange between Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cirstea caught the crowd's attention in Melbourne after the latter took umbrage at the former world No. 1's behaviour between points. The Japanese star shouted "come on!" in an effort to pump herself up, leading Cirstea, on serve, to react angrily at the net, where they exchanged a brief but "frosty" handshake. "I kind of love it," said Laura Robson.

Watch 'very frosty' handshake with Cirstea 'not happy with Osaka at all'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Naomi Osaka and Sorana Cirstea shared a "frosty" handshake after their second-round clash at the Australian Open on Thursday, following a tense three-set encounter in Melbourne.

Osaka came through 6-3 4-6 6-2 to book her place in the third round and bring an end to what is expected to be Cirstea’s final appearance at the Australian Open.

However, the Romanian was not prepared to leave the stage quietly as she expressed her frustration at the four-time Grand Slam champion before exiting the court, leaving Osaka visibly confused.

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Asked what it took to advance, Osaka suggested Cirstea had taken issue with her on-court celebrations.

"Apparently, a lot of ‘come-ons’ because that’s what she was angry about," Osaka said.

The two-time Australian Open champion added: "I mean, I tried to play well. I think a lot of unforced errors, but I tried my best.

"She’s a great player. I think this was her last Australian Open… I’m sorry she was mad about it."

'Whatever' says Osaka as she reacts to Cirstea row - 'Guess she was mad about it'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Cirstea, 35, appeared irritated during the third set when Osaka was heard shouting "come on!" between points, prompting her to raise the issue with the chair umpire.

"Is this okay, to say ‘come on!’ between points?" asked Cirstea.

"You didn’t have the ball in your hands, it’s fine," replied the umpire.

"So I can talk between points?" Cirstea followed up. "I can go ‘come on!’ and talk?"

The umpire reiterated there was no issue, provided Osaka was not speaking while Cirstea was serving.

The confrontation drew discussion from TNT Sports’ punditry team, with former British No. 1 Anne Keothavong saying: "That is a cold, cold handshake.

Watch as Cirstea vents frustration at umpire after Osaka shouts out between points

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Given this is Sorana Cirstea’s last Australian Open, it’s not the way you want to bow out. Is there some beef between those two, from history?

"Knowing Sorana, she doesn’t hold back, she says what she thinks. She’s a feisty woman."

Laura Robson added: "It was a real frosty handshake. I kind of love it, I have to say. It’s better to air it all out, let us all see it, rather than save it for the locker room."

Osaka had made a bold walk-on entrance during her first-round match with Antonio Ruzic, as she came into Rod Laver Arena wearing a jellyfish-inspired dress.

"It’s just something fun I love to do on the court," explained Osaka.

"I don’t really talk that much, but I like to express myself through clothes and I’m really glad that you guys loved it, hopefully.

'A cold, cold handshake' - Reaction to Cirstea and Osaka's shock row

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I grew up with Serena and Venus [Williams], [Maria] Sharapova, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and for me, it’s a great honour if there’s a kid out there somewhere that plays in this tournament and remembers me in a way."

Osaka, the 16th seed, will now turn her attention to Saturday’s third-round against home favourite Maddison Inglis.

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