Zheng Qinwen of China reacts while playing against Victoria Azarenka in the second round on Day 3 of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, US, on March 7. 2025. [Photo/CFP]
INDIAN WELLS, United States - Chinese Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen beat former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells on Friday.
Eighth-seeded Zheng secured her first victory against Azarenka in their three encounters. Having received a first-round bye, Zheng marked a strong start to her campaign here.
"It's my first time beating Azarenka, such a great player. I tried to play solid, hit a lot of rally with her because Azarenka is very consistent. If I don't take my chance, you can see in the second set, I was 2-0 up, but she came back," Zheng said. "She beat me twice when I was 19 and 21, so I'm very happy to win this match."
Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu overcame Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-4, 6-4 to join her compatriot Zheng in the third round.
In the ATP 1000 Indian Wells Masters second round, China's Bu Yunchaokete fell to fifth seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia at 6-2, 6-2.
