Australian Open 2025, Day 1: Zheng Qinwen topples Anca Todoni in straight sets

Tennis star player Zheng Qinwen heads into the second round of the Australian Open 2025 on January 12, thwarting Anca Todoni by 7-6, 6-1 in Melbourne on Day 1 of the showpiece event. The Chinese player had to save a set point in the opening set of the game, scraping her way through the tiebreak before running away with the second set in the game.

Notably, Zheng was formidable on the serve throughout the one hour and 56 minutes of the game, sending down eight aces and winning 83 percent of the first set point, putting the 22-year-old star player in a strong position. The young tennis sensation also hit out the Romanian 29 winners into 20 while making just 21 unforced errors in their game.

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Starting off on the right note 🎵

2024 AO finalist Qinwen Zheng defeats Todoni 7-6(3), 6-1 to kick start her #AO2025 campaign!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/wmvKuzD27K

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025

2024 Australian Open runner-up had to save set point in the opening set

The China-born star is now set to face the winner of Laura Siegemund and Hayley Baptiste in the second round of the game.

Zheng after beating Todoni in Australian Open R1

Petkovic: “It all started here last year with the final. Then you won the gold medal. You’re a huge star now all over the world. How has it changed for you to play with so much attention now on you?”

Qinwen: “Of course there… pic.twitter.com/MYP21g7QJn

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025

Meanwhile, Zheng revealed that she has faced extreme pressure at the start of the game but also highly spoken about how she possesses the poise and calm under pressure situations. The 22-year-old tennis star hilariously took a cheeky dig at the reporter when he again asked the pressure question to her.

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Qinwen Zheng after beating Todoni at Australian Open

Petkovic: “You saved set points in the first set. You always seem so calm under pressure. Tell us your secret.”

Qinwen: “You think I’m calm on court but if you check the camera there when I’m facing the fence, maybe I’m not… pic.twitter.com/IIj6KdKMQ1

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 12, 2025

“Of course there started to be more and more pressure. But at the same time they’re pushing me to become a better person and better athlete. I think I do good with the pressure. I like to play with the pressure. Like what Billie Jean King says… pressure is a privilege. I love this sentence. Let’s keep going and playing with pressure. You think I’m calm on court but if you check the camera there when I’m facing the fence, maybe I’m not so calm," Qinwen Zheng said after the win.

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