Australian Open 2025: Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen into second round as Grand Slam tennis, rain return to Melbourne
The Hindu
Australian Open tennis Championship 2025: Day 1 on January 12, 2025: Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen advances to second round of Australian Open with victory over Anca Todoni in 2025.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen fought her way into the second round of the Australian Open with a 7-6(3) 6-1 win over Anca Todoni on Sunday as crowds flocked through the gates at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of 2025.
The fans were sent scurrying for cover inside the first hour when a dramatic thunderstorm swept across the precinct but Zheng and Todoni continued their baseline battle under the closed roof of the Rod Laver Arena.
Zheng's last competitive match on the main showcourt was her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 final and tall Romanian qualifier Todoni ensured her return was not as comfortable as she might have hoped.
The Chinese fifth seed, who did not play a warm-up tournament, finally broke for 4-3 in the opening set but Todoni toughed it out, battling through four deuces to hold serve before breaking back for 5-5 and earning a set point.
Zheng saved the set point then took the tiebreaker 7-3 and quickly raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set while Todoni, who had treatment on her back, racked up unforced errors as she fought in vain to stay in the contest.
"The first match is never easy and I made some stupid mistakes," said 22-year-old Zheng, who is looking to emulate compatriot Li Na's 2014 triumph in Melbourne.
"There's more and more pressure (on me but) I think deal good with the pressure and, as Billie Jean King said, pressure is a privilege. Let's keep going playing with pressure."
Lionel Messi's assists lead Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title, celebrating a historic victory with co-owner David Beckham.
A fire at a crowded Goa nightclub kills at least 23, highlighting serious fire safety violations and emergency response challenges.
IndiGo's Hyderabad flight disruptions continue with 115 cancellations on December 7, totaling over 500 in five days.
PM Modi offers ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to families of 23 victims of Goa nightclub fire, and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Mumbai faces a severe air pollution crisis, impacting residents' health and escalating medical expenses amid bureaucratic inaction.
Rupee at 90: foreign capital exits, imports jump, and RBI eases its defence. A breakdown of the market forces and policy choices shaping the currency slide.
North Goa club midnight blaze follow The Hindu LIVE updates on December 7 2025
Australia activates disaster relief for New South Wales as wildfires threaten properties and infrastructure, with no casualties reported.
Australia’s Pat Cummins confirms he’ll return for the third Ashes Test, easing concerns for the struggling England side.
The Shakespeare Millennium Club in collaboration with the Annai Velankanni Church (Society of St. Vincent De Paul), conducted a Free Medical Camp on November 23, 2025 at the church premises from 9 am to 6 pm, with Dr. Samundi Sankari and Dr. Divya Sivaraman of Srushti Hospitals, Dr. Sharada L N of Aramba, the Kumaran Dental Clinic, Lychee and Satya Physiotherapy Centre, according to a press release.
Hyderabad police support senior citizens living alone, enhancing safety, preventing fraud, and fostering community connections through regular visits.
Explore the vital role of Humanities in fostering critical thinking, empathy, and social harmony amid the STEM-focused higher education landscape.
Tiruvannamalai removes 450 metric tonnes of waste from Maha Deepam day in a two-day cleanup by 2,300 workers.