As tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the annual spectacle, the curtain rises on the 2025 Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena with a thrilling display. Last year's runner-up and current world No. 5, Zheng Qinwen, withstands the tough test of the first set on this familiar battleground. Relying on her solid skills and tenacious fighting spirit, she reenacts her "ratings-boosting" playstyle, defeating Romanian qualifier Todorini with a score of 7-6(3), 6-1, to kick off the new season with a victory.
Zheng Qinwen, adorned with the Olympic champion's aura and the glory of being the defending Australian Open runner-up, has grown into a formidable force in women's tennis. With each appearance, she carries the full expectations of fans, always responding with remarkable performances.
Looking at her opponent, Todorini, currently ranked 110th in the world, though not as well-known as Zheng Qinwen, is still a force to be reckoned with. This young Romanian player made an impressive showing at last year's Wimbledon, advancing to the main draw through qualifying rounds for the first time in a Grand Slam event. She defeated Daniil and reached the second round before ultimately falling to Gauff. However, she was eliminated in the first round of qualifying at last year's US Open, which was somewhat disappointing. This year, Todorini has regrouped, once again making it through qualifying to the main draw, determined to make a name for herself at the Australian Open.
The first set of the match unfolded like a rollercoaster drama. In the seventh game, Zheng Qinwen took the initiative, capitalizing on the opportunity to break serve successfully. She then pressed her advantage, extending the lead to 5-3, seemingly tilting the scales of victory in her favor. Yet, on the tennis court, fortunes can change swiftly. In the tenth game, during her serve to win the set, Zheng faced fierce resistance from her opponent, squandering four set points and even getting broken back, causing the score to shift to 5-5, plunging the situation back into a deadlock.
However, Zheng Qinwen remained calm. In the subsequent twelfth game, she used a stunning ace to fend off her opponent's set point. After multiple grueling battles, she saved three set points, stubbornly dragging the match into a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Zheng displayed her superior mental fortitude and exquisite technique, converting her sixth set point with a decisive 7-3, securing the first set 7-6 after a grueling 78 minutes, with both players fiercely contesting every point.
Having weathered the first set's challenges, Zheng Qinwen stormed through the second set with unstoppable momentum. She held and broke serve, quickly establishing a 3-0 lead. Coach Dante on the sidelines couldn't help but grin widely, his smile filled with pride for his disciple's excellent performance. Perhaps feeling the overwhelming presence of Zheng Qinwen, her opponent requested a medical timeout, attempting to disrupt the rhythm. But Zheng didn't give her opponent any breathing room. In the sixth game, she seized another opportunity to break serve, widening the gap to 5-1. In the seventh game, although Zheng initially lost a point, she unleashed a flurry of attacks, winning four consecutive points to secure the match-winning serve, concluding the set 6-1 and locking in the victory with a 2-0 overall score.
The entire match lasted two hours, with the statistics behind Zheng Qinwen's outstanding performance shining through. Her eight aces demonstrated her serving prowess, accompanied by only three double faults. Her first serve percentage of 60% and a first serve winning rate of 83% speak volumes about the efficiency of her service game. With 29 winners against 21 unforced errors, she combined offensive power with stability. Converting three out of five break points, she showed exceptional ability to seize key moments.
With this victory, Zheng Qinwen earned 70 points and a $200,000 AUD prize. Up next, she will face either Siegemund or Barty, with new challenges ahead. It's believed that Zheng Qinwen will carry the momentum of this opening triumph and continue to write her own legendary chapter on the Australian Open stage. Let's wait and see, cheering for our Chinese tennis star!