Zheng Qinwen of China began her 2025 Australian Open campaign with a commanding 7-6(3), 6-1 victory over Romania’s Anca Todoni in the women’s singles first round at Melbourne Park on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Todoni, making her main draw debut at the Australian Open as a qualifier, put up a strong fight in the opening set. Both players held their serve in the initial games, reaching a 3-3 tie. Zheng, showing remarkable composure, earned her first break point in the seventh game. Despite Todoni’s ace to save one break point, Zheng capitalized on subsequent opportunities to secure the break and take a 4-3 lead.
Trailing 5-3, Todoni faced the pressure of serving to stay in the set. In a gripping 11-minute game filled with intense rallies and five deuces, the Romanian showcased her resilience by holding serve and narrowing the gap to 5-4. She then extended her momentum by breaking Zheng’s serve, leveling the set at 5-5 after exploiting Zheng’s unforced errors.
Todoni carried her surge into the 11th game, holding serve to edge ahead 6-5 and putting the pressure back on Zheng. The Chinese player faced three set points but demonstrated her mental fortitude by saving all of them, forcing a tiebreak. In the tiebreaker, Zheng regained her dominance, swiftly taking it 7-3 to clinch the first set.
With confidence soaring from winning the first set, Zheng increased her aggression in the second. She broke Todoni’s serve early, racing to a 3-0 lead. Although Todoni called for a medical timeout and managed to hold her serve in the fourth game, Zheng remained unstoppable. She maintained her momentum, winning the next three games decisively to seal the match.
Zheng’s victory marks a strong start to her Australian Open journey, showcasing her skill and determination as she advances to the second round.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
