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

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and sixth seed Casper Ruud rallied to make the Australian Open second spherical on Sunday as storms brought on havoc forward of Aryna Sabalenka starting her quest for a historic third consecutive crown. Fifth seed Zheng, final yr’s shedding finalist, had the honour of taking part in the primary level on centre courtroom on the opening Grand Slam of the season towards Romania’s One hundred and tenth-ranked Anca Todoni. She got here by way of 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena 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 return roaring again earlier than closing her down within the tiebreak then racing by way of the second set.

“The first match is always not easy,” she mentioned.

“Just happy to get through the match, the tiebreak and find my rhythm.”

The 22-year-old loved a breakthrough 2024 together with her Australian Open exploits serving to spur her to Olympic gold — beating Iga Swiatek on the best way — and three WTA titles.

While Zheng was capable of play, the motion on outdoors 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.

Only the three primary stadiums — Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena — have roofs.

Norway’s Ruud mentioned forward of the occasion that taking part in higher at Grand Slams was on his agenda this yr after an underwhelming 2024 on the majors.

But 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 just a really tough match,” he mentioned.

Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori additionally got here by way 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 almost gave up at match point,” mentioned Nishikori, who’s on the comeback path after spending years sidelined by main hip surgical procedure and an ankle harm.

“But I somehow fought through.”

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 yr and is seeking to higher that efficiency.

“Honestly it was a bit hard for me when they started closing the roof (mid-match),” mentioned Andreeva, who’s coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.

“I’m very happy today that I played 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 Arena in a probably tough encounter with 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Men’s second seed Alexander Zverev rounds off the primary night time towards the harmful Lucas Pouille of France, who made the semi-finals in 2019 earlier than shedding to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Sabalenka is aiming to grow to be the primary girl 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 part of a choose group of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis as the one girls to finish a Melbourne three-peat.

“Hopefully by the end of this tournament I’ll be able to put my name into history,” she mentioned.

Sabalenka gained the Brisbane International within the lead-up and accepts she is the lady to beat after the most effective season of her profession in 2024, the place she additionally gained a maiden US Open.

“That’s what drives me and helps me to stay motivated because I know that I have a target on my back and I really like to have it,” she mentioned.

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