China's top two players Li Na and Zheng Jie
advanced to the second round of the US$600,000 China Open in Beijing yesterday.
But Zheng's double's partner Yan Zi lost in the first round in straight sets
to Croatian Jelena Kostanic. There was more bad news for the all-conquering pair
as Zheng is unlikely to play with Yan again before the Doha Asian Games in
December due to a right ankle injury.
China's Zheng Jie
returns a shot against United States's Jill Craybas during their first
round match at WTA China Open in Beijing September 19, 2006. Zheng won 6-4
6-3. [Reuters]
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Joining the Chinese players
in the second round is defending champion Maria Kirilenko of Russia, who ousted
Argentine Gisela Dulko 7-6(7/5), 6-3.
World No 23 Li breezed past qualifier Russian Vera Dushevina in straight sets
while Zheng, No 33, went through the pain barrier to beat Jill Craybas of the
United States 6-4, 6-3.
Despite not playing her best, seventh seed Li still managed to beat the
Russian 6-3, 6-4 in a one and a half hour first round encounter.
"It wasn't as easy as the score showed. Actually, I felt very sluggish and
lacked consistency at the baseline" said Li.
"Playing on my home court makes me a bit nervous, but it's OK, I know the
first match of every tournament is hard and I am happy to make it through."
Finishing the 2005 season ranked 35, the Hubei native has given China a lot
to cheer for this year. She became the first Chinese ever to reach a Grand Slam
singles quarter-final and also scored a national ranking record, rising to No 20
in July.
The aggressive Li belted an uncharacteristic 15 unforced errors, but hit 30
winners during the match. Her opponent had seven unforced errors.
Li was broken at love in the first game, but she hit back with interest,
taking three breaks to jump to a 5-1 lead. Despite another break she closed out
the set 6-3.
The second set featured yet more unconvincing serving, with three break
points for Li and two for Dushevina. But Li proved better on those crucial
occasions, winning the set 6-4 to claim victory.
Wild card Yan committed 20 unforced errors to suffer a straight-set defeat to
Kostanic.
The 25-year-old Croatian, who entered the main draw through three rounds of
qualification, needed one hour and 25 minutes to subdue the 100-ranked Yan 7-5,
6-2.
"The opponent controlled the game. I had many chances but failed to take
advantage of them," said Yan.
"I lost patience when I led 4-2 (in the opening set) and wasn't careful
enough the rest of the game."
Kostanic broke Yan five times from 12 opportunities, while doubles specialist
Yan only managed two breaks.
Kostanic will next meet Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. The Russian
won her third Wismilak International trophy in Bali, Indonesia last week.
Yan will continue to partner Zheng in the doubles this tournament, aiming to
improve on their second place last year.
After the China Open, Zheng will take a long rest and stay in Beijing to
recover from injury.
The pair, who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles titles this year,
will probably take part in the year-ending WTA championships in Madrid before
the Asian Games.
"I will continue to play and will partner a foreign player in the next few
months," Yan said.
The 23-year-old Zheng, playing in her third China Open, is likely to play
against former world No 1 Lindsey Davenport of the United States who meets Anna
Chakzetadze of Russia today.
A total of four Chinese have booked their spots in the 16-player second
round. Peng Shuai and Athen doubles gold medallist Sun Tiantian won their
first-round matches on Monday.
