In the first round of the Australian Open women's singles on January 12th, Beijing time, China's "No. 1" Zheng Qinwen defeated Romanian qualifier and dark horse Toudoni in straight sets (7-6(3), 6-1). Zheng Qinwen not only secured a winning start for the Chinese team but also advanced through the first round of the Australian Open for the fourth consecutive year.
[World Rankings]
Zheng Qinwen is ranked No. 5 in the world and is seeded No. 5 at this year's Australian Open, while Toudoni is ranked No. 110 in the world and qualified for the tournament through the qualifying rounds.
[Match History]
The two players had never faced each other before.
[Match Review]
In the first set, Toudoni put enough pressure on Zheng Qinwen, coupled with Zheng Qinwen's slow start, making the match very intense. The first six games saw both players holding their serves, despite Zheng Qinwen breaking serve first in the seventh game, she was broken back by Toudoni in her own serve-to-win game in the tenth game, leveling the score at 5-5. After both players held one more game, the match went into a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Zheng Qinwen took the lead after drawing level at 2-all, winning four points in a row and eventually taking the first set 7-3.
In the second set, Zheng Qinwen broke serve early in the second game, establishing a 2-0 lead. In the sixth game, Zheng Qinwen broke serve again, extending the lead to 5-1. With Zheng Qinwen holding serve in the seventh game, she also won the second set 6-1, thus eliminating her opponent 2-0 and advancing to the second round.
[Statistical Records]
- Since her first participation in the Australian Open in 2022, Zheng Qinwen has advanced through the first round of the main draw for four consecutive years.
- Zheng Qinwen's Grand Slam record has been rewritten to 27 wins and 12 losses, including a record of 9 wins and 3 losses at the Australian Open.
[Next Round Opponent]
Zheng Qinwen will await the winner between German veteran Siegmund and American player Bristow.