Shuai Zhang and Xinyu Wang Advance to Second Round at China Open, Naomi Osaka and Kenin Also Victorious

On September 25, the China Open 2024 kicked off its first round of women's singles main draw, with Chinese players Shuai Zhang and Xinyu Wang both securing victorious, while 2018 China Open semifinalist Qiang Wang was out. Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Sofia Kenin also won their opening matches.

The Olympics mixed doubles silver medalist Xinyu Wang was the first Chinese player to take the court. Initially scheduled to face Amanda Anisimova, her opponent became a lucky loser, Japanese player Mai

Hontama. Wang won over 6-1 6-3 in 70 minutes and will face 32nd seed Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.

In the following match, Shuai Zhang defeated McCartney Kessler 7-6(5), 7-6(1) despite wasting her serve of the match and a match point in the second set, Zhang still dominated in the tiebreak, snapping a 24-match losing streak that stretched over years. Zhang was emotional after the match, “Ending this losing streak here means so much to me. Thanks for everyone coming today. Your energy helped me push through.”

“Fifteen years ago, I won my first WTA match here at this tournament. It feels like the reason why I didn’t win is to wait to win again on this court, in this tournament.” Zhang shared her long-standing connection with the China Open. In 2009, 20-year-old Zhang surprised the world by defeating the current world No. 1 Dinara Safina at the China Open. Now 35, Zhang continues to compete out of her passion for the sport. In the second round, she will face 6th seed and US Open semifinalist Emma Navarro.

Naomi Osaka, returning to the China Open for the first time since winning the title in 2019, overcame an early break to defeat Italian player Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-2. Osaka will play against 21st seed Yulia Putintseva in the second round. Meanwhile, 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin progressed with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Romania’s Ana Bogdan. Kenin will meet 12th seed Lara Schneider in the second round.

Qiang Wang, who played last on Diamond Court, faced qualifier Alicia Parks. Wang took the first set 6-1 but was unable to hold on, losing the next two sets 4-6, 2-6 to exit in the first round. Other players advancing to the second round include Wimbledon doubles champion Taylor Townsend along with Diane Parry, Elina Avanesyan, Katie Volynets, Clara Burel, Eleonora Tomova, Greet Minnen etc.