Zheng Qinwen, Casper Ruud Win As Rain Lashes Australian Open On Day One | Tennis Information

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and sixth seed Casper Ruud rallied to make the Australian Open second spherical on Sunday as storms induced havoc forward of Aryna Sabalenka starting her quest for a historic third consecutive crown. Fifth seed Zheng, final 12 months’s shedding finalist, had the honour of enjoying the primary level on centre court docket on the opening Grand Slam of the season in opposition to Romania’s A hundred and tenth-ranked Anca Todoni. She got here by means of 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 on Rod Laver Area however was rusty after opting to not play a warm-up occasion.
Zheng had three set factors on her personal serve at 5-3 within the first set, however allowed Todoni to come back roaring again earlier than closing her down within the tiebreak then racing by means of the second set.
“The primary match is all the time not simple,” she mentioned.
“Simply blissful to get by means of the match, the tiebreak and discover my rhythm.”
The 22-year-old loved a breakthrough 2024 along with her Australian Open exploits serving to spur her to Olympic gold — beating Iga Swiatek on the best way — and three WTA titles.
Whereas Zheng was capable of play, the motion on exterior courts at Melbourne Park was halted barely an hour after it began when storms rolled in that turned the sky black.
Thunder and lightning noticed gamers and followers dashing for canopy, with heavy rain lashing Melbourne Park in a headache for organisers who face a match backlog.
No play was scheduled earlier than 6:30pm (0730 GMT) on the earliest.
Solely the three predominant stadiums — Rod Laver Area, Margaret Courtroom Area and John Cain Area — have roofs.
Norway’s Ruud mentioned forward of the occasion that enjoying higher at Grand Slams was on his agenda this 12 months after an underwhelming 2024 on the majors.
However he might want to elevate his sport to go deep in Melbourne after a rollercoaster 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over Spain’s Jaume Munar, ranked 106.
“It was only a actually robust match,” he mentioned.
Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori additionally got here by means of a five-set marathon, saving two match factors to beat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in 4hr 6min.
“I nearly gave up at match level,” mentioned Nishikori, who’s on the comeback path after spending years sidelined by main hip surgical procedure and an ankle damage.
“However I in some way fought by means of.”
Mirra Andreeva was the primary participant into the second spherical, with the 14th seeded Russian easing previous the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3.
The 17-year-old made the fourth spherical in Melbourne final 12 months and is seeking to higher that efficiency.
“Actually it was a bit onerous for me after they began closing the roof (mid-match),” mentioned Andreeva, who’s coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“I am very blissful right this moment that I performed in a stadium with a roof.”
Croat 18th seed Donna Vekic additionally progressed.
Hat-trick bid
Belarusian world primary Sabalenka headlines the night session on Rod Laver Area in a probably difficult encounter with 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
Males’s second seed Alexander Zverev rounds off the primary evening in opposition to the damaging Lucas Pouille of France, who made the semi-finals in 2019 earlier than shedding to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Sabalenka is aiming to turn out to be the primary lady since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive Australian Opens.
If she lifts the winner’s Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup once more, Sabalenka will be a part of a choose group of Margaret Courtroom, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis as the one girls to finish a Melbourne three-peat.
“Hopefully by the tip of this event I will be capable to put my identify into historical past,” she mentioned.
Sabalenka gained the Brisbane Worldwide within the lead-up and accepts she is the lady to beat after the very best season of her profession in 2024, the place she additionally gained a maiden US Open.
“That is what drives me and helps me to remain motivated as a result of I do know that I’ve a goal on my again and I actually wish to have it,” she mentioned.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Casper Ruud