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
Cannes 2024: Studio Ghibli takes a bow with an honorary Palme d'Or
Iran's president holds talks with Pakistani premier after arrival in Islamabad for a 3
Musgrove goes 7 innings and Bogaerts homers as the Padres beat the Blue Jays 6
The easily missed detail in the photos of Queen Mary's children
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Cher, Ozzy Osbourne among 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Hurricanes get a quick boost from Evgeny Kuznetsov addition to start NHL playoffs
Los Angeles sheriff's deputy dies months after being injured in fire inside mobile gun range
Flight attendant reveals why plane passengers should NEVER fall asleep before take off
Chinese defense ministry refutes validity of Taiwan Strait's median line