China's Zheng Qinwen (left) shakes hands with Greece's Maria Sakkari after their women's singles match on day 3 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan 19, 2022. (PAUL CROCK / AFP)

MADRID - The first day of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday saw early exits for two Chinese players in the women's singles tournament.

Zheng Qinwen was overpowered by the Czech player Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 after making a very positive start and claiming the first set

Zheng Qinwen was overpowered by the Czech player Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 after making a very positive start and claiming the first set.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shuai lost 6-2, 6-3 to former tournament winner and World No 1, Simona Halep, who is trying to work her way back to her peak after a couple of seasons beset by injuries.

Halep strolled to the first set and then overcame a timid reaction from Zhang, who went 2-0 up in the second set with a service break before her Rumanian rival recovered her rhythm.

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Another former world No 1, Victoria Azarenka joined Halep in the last-32 with a 7-6(7), 6-3 win against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic.

No 8 seed Ons Javeur also qualified 7-6(11) 6-1 against Jasmine Paolini, while 11th seed, Belinda Bencic had an easy 6-4, 6-1 win over Irina Begu.

Finally, No 2 seed Paula Badosa raced past Veronika Kudermetova 6-3, 6-0 in an hour and five minutes to delight the local fans.