Sawt Falasteen - Olympic champion Zheng channels 'gold medal mentality' in Paris

The 22-year-old Zheng navigated a difficult first-round assignment on Sunday as she beat former French Open runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 6-3 in her first match in Paris since capturing the Olympic title.

"I am happy to get this match against a great opponent," said Zheng. "I always think the first match in the Slams is tricky."

Zheng, the number eight seed at Roland Garros, made the last 16 on her debut in 2022 but has fallen prematurely at the past two editions.

She hopes the memories of her Paris 2024 triumph on Court Philippe Chatrier, which had its roof closed for her win over Pavlyuchenkova due to scattered showers, will serve her well as she tries to emulate Li Na, China's first and only Grand Slam singles champion.

"That feeling is unforgettable," Zheng said of winning Olympic gold.

"It is the best experience in my life so far. I will carry the gold medal mentality all through this tournament. I will always keep fighting. I just hope I give my best performance here in 2025."

Zheng, beaten in last year's Australian Open final by Aryna Sabalenka, faces a potential rematch with the world number one in the quarter-finals.

She next plays Colombia's Emiliana Arango, who condemned Philippines trailblazer Alexandra Eala to a swift exit in her first Grand Slam appearance.

Z.AlNajjar--SF-PST