Top seed Badosa bundled out of Tokyo by Chinese teen Zheng

Spanish top seed Paula Badosa fell at the first hurdle at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday, losing 6-3, 6-2 to fast-rising Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen.

Published : Sep 21, 2022 16:08 IST

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return against Paula Badosa of Spain during their women's singles match on day three of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on September 21, 2022. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return against Paula Badosa of Spain during their women's singles match on day three of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on September 21, 2022. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) | Photo Credit: AFP/PHILIP FONG
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Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return against Paula Badosa of Spain during their women's singles match on day three of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament in Tokyo on September 21, 2022. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP) | Photo Credit: AFP/PHILIP FONG

Spanish top seed Paula Badosa fell at the first hurdle at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday, losing 6-3, 6-2 to fast-rising Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen.

World number four Badosa, who was eliminated in the round of 64 at the recent US Open, struggled to gain a foothold against 36th-ranked Zheng and joined number two seed, Caroline Garcia, in making an early exit from the tournament.

Badosa failed to hit a single ace and lost seven straight games before ending a miserable evening in the Japanese capital by swatting a return straight into the ground on match point.

The 19-year-old Zheng, who reached the last 32 at the US Open, said her win over Badosa was "not a surprise" for her.

"I always know that I have the level," said Zheng.

"It's just when to make it. I'm so happy that I can make this match and I want to repeat it again."

Zheng, who beat Japan's Misaki Doi 6-2, 6-4 in the first round, will now face either Belgium's Elise Mertens or Claire Liu of the United States in the quarter-finals.

Badosa had a bye into the second round.

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