Outgoing finalist Zheng overcomes Todoni hurdle at Australian Open
Zheng Qinwen was one of the first credible title contenders to enter the women's draw at the 2025 Australian Open.
An outgoing finalist, the Chinese No.5 seed must defend the points she gained last year in Melbourne.
Her first round opponent was 20-year-old qualifier Anca Todoni.
Ranked 110th in the world, the Romanian gave Zheng a hard time in the first set when she won three set points on her opponent's serve, 6 games to 5.
A few minutes earlier, Zheng had served to win the first set and was leading 5-4, 40-0.
In the end, Zheng let the storm pass.
The finalist at the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November won the tie-break in the first set before unrolling in the second.
The Chinese player closed out the match in almost two hours (7-6, 6-1) and will now face Siegemund or Baptiste for a place in the third round.
"Of course, now I know there's a bit more attention on me, I'm playing with a bit more pressure.
But on the other hand, it's helping me to become a better player. I think I can play well under pressure, I like being in this situation.
As Billie Jean King says, pressure is a privilege. I love that phrase. I hope to continue like this and play under pressure as much as possible," Zheng said after qualifying.
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