MELBOURNE, Australia — Zheng Qinwen’s journey in professional tennis has undergone a remarkable transformation since her appearance at the Australian Open a year ago. Despite her achievements over the past 12 months, including a runner-up finish in Melbourne and an Olympic gold for China, she still felt nerves as she prepared to compete at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
After navigating some uncertainty late in the initial set during her first-round match on a tumultuous Day 1 of the tournament, Zheng secured a victory with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-1 against Anca Todoni, a 20-year-old qualifier from Romania with one previous Grand Slam win under her belt.
“I actually feel really nervous,” admitted Zheng, who is the tournament’s fifth seed. “The nerves started creeping in yesterday because the Australian Open holds a special significance for me. I really enjoy playing here.”
Her feelings are understandable, given her past performance. A year prior on the same hard courts, Zheng reached the finals, only to be defeated by Aryna Sabalenka. The two-time champion began her current title defense with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev, the second seed in the men’s tournament, triumphed over Lucas Pouille in three sets, finishing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
In men’s singles, two out of the initial three matches concluded in five sets. Kei Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up, managed to fend off match points in the third set, ultimately defeating Thiago Monteiro with scores of 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3. No. 6 seed Casper Ruud, a three-time major finalist, also faced a tough match against Jaume Munar, winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.
Nishikori, competing in the tournament for the first time in four years due to various injuries, celebrated his hard-fought victory by raising his arms into the air, losing his hat in the process. He now boasts a 29-8 record in five-set matches, with an impressive 8-1 record at the Australian Open.
Last January, Zheng had only participated in eight major tournaments with just one quarterfinal appearance. Her impressive performance resulted in a gold medal win at the Paris Games in August, marking a significant year for her career.
At 22, Zheng’s powerful style of play thrives on hard courts, and playing indoors suited her well while she faced Todoni under the retractable roof, especially as storms caused delays on outdoor courts. Despite some struggles, including missing set points while serving at 5-4 and needing to save set points against Todoni later on, she managed to find her rhythm. Post-match, Zheng acknowledged that her nerves could sometimes enhance her focus, though she felt it did not aid her performance today.
The second set proved easier for her, and Todoni requested medical treatment for her lower back after just three games. Zheng was among the few players able to finish matches on a day when rain disrupted several matches. The tournament has been cleverly designed, with a new 15-day schedule implemented last year, allowing more time for the first round, spanning three days. This was particularly beneficial as Monday’s busy schedule included matches featuring stars like Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek.
No. 29 seed Linda Noskova was the first seeded player to exit the tournament, losing to Clara Tauson in a close match with scores of 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Other seeds advancing on Sunday included No. 11 Paula Badosa, No. 14 Mirra Andreeva, No. 18 Donna Vekic, and No. 30 Leylah Fernandez, who was a runner-up at the 2021 U.S. Open.
Arthur Fils, the 20th seed, also shared his thoughts after securing his spot in the next round, stating, “Playing a match and being able to finish it with the roof is much easier than stopping for the rain. It’s a much better experience.” Fils won his match against Otto Virtanen of Finland with scores of 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4.
