Australian Open 2025: Zheng Qinwen and Mirra Andreeva win on first day interrupted by rain

Zheng Qinwen recovered from a “silly mistake” to start out his Australian Open bid with a straight-sets win on a rain-interrupted first day in Melbourne.

China’s fifth seed Zheng, overwhelmed by Aryna Sabalenka in final 12 months’s ultimate, gained 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 in opposition to Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni below the roof of the Rod Laver Enviornment.

The Olympic gold medalist took the opening recreation 5-4 40-0, however couldn’t take her three factors.

Todoni, 20, had by no means overwhelmed a top-50 opponent and had an opportunity to maneuver to the center of a shock win after taking three match factors from Zheng at 6-5.

However he was unable to transform and Zheng, 22, was caught earlier than stepping up a gear on the break.

The second set was simple as Zheng, supported as ordinary by the Chinese language crowd, broke early to win.

“The primary set just isn’t straightforward, primarily as a result of I used to be making some severe errors – I do not know what occurred there,” he mentioned.

“However I am glad to go.”

Relating to the rise of expectations after profitable the Olympic title, he added: “Sure, it is beginning to really feel irritating [the fans] they push me to be a greater individual and a greater athlete.

“I wish to play below strain. Like what Billie Jean King mentioned – strain is a privilege. I like this sentence.

“Let’s proceed to play with strain.”

Whereas Zheng was in a position to end his match indoors, a robust thunderstorm brought about play on the outside courts to be suspended till 17:00 native time (06:00 GMT).