Qinwen Zheng overcomes early nerves to kicstart Australian Open challenge

Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, aged 22, acknowledged experiencing first-day nerves after overcoming a challenging match on Sunday to advance to the second round of the Australian Open.

The fifth seed had to fend off three set points before ultimately defeating the determined debutant Anca Todoni with a score of 7-6(3), 6-1.

Zheng expressed that she felt anxious as she commenced her match on Rod Laver Arena, a year after her defeat in the 2024 final against Aryna Sabalenka on the same prestigious court.

"Honestly, I felt quite nervous," Zheng conveyed to reporters at Melbourne Park.

"I began to feel this way since yesterday due to the special emotions associated with the Australian Open.

"I consider it one of the most significant tournaments, and I truly enjoy being here."

As thunder echoed around Rod Laver Arena, leading to a suspension of play on the outside courts, Zheng persevered under the roof to triumph over the world number 110 in nearly two hours of competition.

Initially, it appeared to be a straightforward task when the powerful Chinese player broke the 20-year-old Romanian to take a 5-3 lead.

However, Todoni, who had never defeated a top-10 player and was making her debut in the Australian Open main draw, fought back and broke Zheng to equalize at 5-5.

At 5-6, Zheng saved three set points from Todoni, forcing a tiebreak that she ultimately won, concluding a lengthy first set after 75 minutes.

"The first set is always challenging, particularly because I made some foolish mistakes," Zheng admitted.

Having not participated in a warm-up event prior to the season's first Grand Slam, Zheng elevated her performance in the second set, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead before finishing the match with an ace in 1 hour and 56 minutes.

"I am simply pleased to have won the match," stated Zheng, who received enthusiastic support from a large contingent of Chinese fans in the audience.

"I was delighted to win the tiebreak and begin to find my rhythm.

"It feels like home, you know, because there are many supporters cheering for me. I feel I can draw a lot of energy from them, especially when she had the set points."

The 22-year-old experienced a remarkable year in 2024, defeating the top-ranked Iga Swiatek en route to securing Olympic gold in Paris and capturing three WTA titles.

Known as "Queen Wen," she concluded the year ranked a career-best fifth in the world after winning the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

She advanced to the final of the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh, where she narrowly lost to Coco Gauff in a decisive tiebreak of the final set.

Zheng is set to face either Germany's Laura Siegemund or American Hailey Baptiste in the second round on Wednesday.

SportsLigue