Rome, May 6 -- Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen rallied from one set down to defeat Hungary's Anna Bondar 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the WTA Italian Open, advancingthe second round after the hard-fought battle lasting 2 hours and 18 minutes.
Zheng had won both of their previous meetings. In this latest encounter, the opening three games went on serve before Zheng double-faulted in the fourth game to concede a break. Bondar capitalized on the advantage and took the first set 6-3 on Tuesday.
In the second set, Zheng improved her first-serve percentage and raced to a 4-0 lead. Although Bondar responded by winning three straight games, Zheng broke again in the eighth game and closed out the set 6-3 to level the match.
In the decisiv...