Zheng eases past Cîrstea in Stuttgart opener after long trip from China. Paolini also through
STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Zheng Qinwen eased past Sorana Cîrstea 6-2, 6-3 in the first round of the Porsche Grand Prix on Tuesday despite a long journey from China to reach the clay-court tournament.
The seventh-ranked Zheng traveled from Changsha to Beijing and then on to Frankfurt before a final leg to Stuttgart, but showed little sign of jet lag as she wrapped up her win in 76 minutes.
Zheng will play either Marta Kostyuk or former champion Laura Siegemund in the second round.
Jasmine Paolini also opened with an emphatic win, beating Italian compatriot and doubles partner Sara Errani 6-1, 6-0 in just 46 minutes.
Paolini awaits the winner between Ekaterina Alexandrova and Ons Jabeur.
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was to play Donna Vekic later Tuesday, while Linda Noskova faced Jeļena Ostapenko.
Tatjana Maria faced Elise Mertens for the right to take on two-time defending champion Iga Świątek in the second round. The Pole is bidding to become the first three-time champion in Stuttgart since Maria Sharapova won between 2012-14.
Eight of the top-10 ranked women are playing at the tournament.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Related articles
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease2024-05-21Jury: BNSF Railway contributed to 2 deaths in Montana town
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A federal jury on Monday said BNSF Railway contributed to the deaths of two peo2024-05-21North Korean leader Kim leads rocket drills that simulate a nuclear counterattack against enemies
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised salvo launches of the country’s2024-05-21NCAA ratifies immediate eligibility for athletes no matter how many times they switch schools
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — NCAA athletes are now eligible to play immediately no matter how many times they2024-05-21‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
If you’re looking for a little bit of that “ Top Gun: Maverick ” spectacle and thrill at the movie t2024-05-21Ooh la lovely! Inside one of Paris's hottest new hotels
If there was an Oscar for headboards, the one in our fifth-floor suite in Norman Hotel in Paris woul2024-05-21
atest comment