WTA Wuhan Open Round 2: China's Zhang Shuai out

Zhang Shuai of China returns a shot to Johanna Konta of United Kingdom in their second round match of the women's singles during the 2016 WTA Wuhan Open tennis tournament in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, Sept 27, 2016. [Photo/IC]

WUHAN - The only Chinese player remaining in the main draw, Zhang Shuai lost to Britain's Johanna Konta, the runner-up here last year, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round of the WTA Wuhan Open on Tuesday.

Former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic stunned second seed Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 7-6(2).

The Serb, Guangzhou Open runner-up, will next play Barbora Strycova of Czech Republic, who outlasted Japan's Misaki Doi 5-7, 6-0, 6-2.

Current world No. 1 Angelique Kerber overcame a slow start to see off Kristina Mladenovic to reach the third round.

The 28-year-old German displayed all the qualities that have taken her to the pinnacle of the women's game to complete a 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 victory over Mladenovic and set up a meeting with another Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova, who dismissed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3, 6-1.

"Kiki was playing very well today, especially in the first set. I was trying to come back in the second," Kerber said. "The first match is always tough. But I'm happy to be back in China and to have won my first match here.

"I was trying to play more aggressive, more my tennis, moving a little bit better.

"It's always tough against Petra. So, I will have to play better than today for sure. I will try my best to going out there to win the match and I will have to play one of my best tennis tomorrow against her," added the newly-crown US Open champion, who had won the last three matches against Kvitova.