Doha, 10 February (H.S.): Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen staged a commanding comeback from injury on Monday, defeating 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a grueling three-setter at the Qatar Open, advancing to the second round to face Alicia Parks.

Returning to competitive tennis for the first time since September 2025, world No. 26 Zheng unleashed 20 aces in her tournament opener, underscoring resilience post-elbow woes. Post-match, she reflected: Returning from injury is never completely pain-free, but my elbow is healing in the right direction. I'm in good shape and can sustain serving for two hours.

Fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, receiving a bye into Round of 64, dispatched Magda Linette 7-6(7/0), 6-1 to reach the last 16. Shocks abounded: No. 3 Amanda Anisimova retired trailing Karolina Pliskova in the third; ex-US Open champion Emma Raducanu withdrew versus Camila Osorio in the decider.

Tuesday features top seeds Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina in Round of 32 debuts, alongside No. 4 Coco Gauff's singles opener—following her doubles defeat with prodigy Victoria Mboko on Monday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar