Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen overcame a slow start to win her opening match at the Australian Open. Meanwhile, storms caused havoc at Melbourne Park, halting play on outside courts and interrupting the tournament's schedule.
Zheng Qinwen serves against Romania’s Anca Todoni during their women's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. — AFPas a first-time user . Exclusively for Malay Mail readers: Use codeMELBOURNE, Jan 12 — Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen overcame a sluggish start to blast into the Australian Open second round today as storms caused havoc ahead of Aryna Sabalenka beginning her quest for a historic third consecutive crown.
Zheng had three set points on-serve at 5-3 in the first set, but allowed Todoni to come roaring back before closing her down in the tiebreak then racing through the second set.“Just happy to get through the match, the tiebreak and find my rhythm.” Mirra Andreeva was the first player through to the second round, with the 14th seeded Russian easing past the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 on John Cain Arena.
Men’s second seed Alexander Zverev rounds off the first night against the dangerous Lucas Pouille of France, who made the semi-finals in 2019 before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. “I know that I have the possibility of joining legends by winning three times in a row,” Sabalenka said.The Belarusian won the Brisbane International in the lead-up and accepts she is the woman to beat after the best season of her career in 2024, where she also won a maiden US Open.
AUSTRALIAN OPEN Zheng Qinwen STORMS SABALENKA ZVEREV
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