Zheng Qinwen recovered from a “silly mistake” to start her Australian Open bid with a straight-set win on a rain-disrupted first day in Melbourne.
Chinese language fifth seed Zheng, crushed by Aryna Sabalenka in final yr’s ultimate, received 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 in opposition to Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni beneath the roof on Rod Laver Enviornment.
The Olympic gold medallist served for the opening set at 5-4 40-0, however couldn’t take any of her three set factors.
Todoni, 20, had by no means crushed a top-50 opponent and had the prospect to maneuver midway to a shock win after creating three set factors on Zheng’s serve at 6-5.
However she couldn’t convert and Zheng, 22, held earlier than stepping up a gear within the tie-break.
The second set was extra easy as Zheng, backed as standard by an enormous variety of Chinese language followers, broke early earlier than cruising via to victory.
“The primary set is all the time not straightforward, particularly as a result of I used to be doing silly errors – I do not know what occurred there,” she mentioned.
“However I’m blissful to get via.”
On expectations rising after profitable the Olympic title, she added: “In fact there begins to be extra strain however [the fans] are pushing me to grow to be a greater particular person and higher athlete.
“I prefer to play with strain. Like what Billie Jean King says – strain is a privilege. I like this sentence.
“Let’s maintain going and enjoying with strain.”
Whereas Zheng was capable of full her match indoors, a heavy thunderstorm brought about play on the outside courts to be suspended till 17:00 native time (06:00 GMT).
