Zheng starts Australian Open with courageous first round victory

MELBOURNE – Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen got off to a poor start on Sunday after a long break from tennis before overpowering gritty Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni in straight sets on the first day of the Australian Open.

The fifth seed started the first Grand Slam of the year with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory in almost two hours. The first round match was played under the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena due to heavy rain in Melbourne.

Zheng enjoyed a breakthrough in 2024, including finishing second at the Australian Open and winning the women's singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics.

The 22-year-old has become a global star and has become China's most important tennis player. But Zheng had not played since the season-ending WTA final in early November, when she lost the decider to Coco Gauff.

Zheng withdrew from the Chinese squad at the mixed-team United Cup and prioritized rest ahead of the Australian Open.

Her rust was clearly visible against 110th-ranked Todoni with a slow opening set before she showed glimpses of her best ability to charge into the second round, where she will meet either Laura Siegemund or Hailey Baptiste.

“The first round match is always not easy, especially because she plays well,” said Zheng, who scored 29 winners. “But I'm happy that I got through the match and found my rhythm.”

It was Zheng's first meeting with the 20-year-old Todoni, whose only previous Grand Slam appearance was a second-round match at Wimbledon last year.

Todoni had made impressive progress in qualifying and the confidence was evident as she took on Zheng in a gripping first set.

Zheng appeared to take control midway through the set and raised her level with a brilliant backhand winner in the seventh game. She moved quickly around the court and showed a deft touch at the net to take a 5-3 lead.

But Zheng squandered five set points in the next two games while Todoni fought back impressively to hold serve and the seesaw continued as the Romanian had three set points in the twelfth game.

But Zheng served well under pressure to force a tiebreak, which she dominated and secured a forehand winner that reached the line.

She claimed an early break in the second set and the physicality took its toll on Todoni, who sought a medical timeout after the third game.

Zheng closed the match with her eighth ace before pumping a fist and roaring to celebrate her successful start in the tournament.

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