Zhang spearheads Chinese challenge

'Team Tianjin' ready to take on the world

After breezing into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, Zhang Shuai said she and a group of Chinese players who have grown up training together are making big strides in their quest for international stardom.

Zhang resurrected her career with a run to last year's quarterfinals in Melbourne and, now seeded 20th, she impressed again in Monday's 6-0, 6-3 victory over Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus.

The 27-year-old world No 23 said she isn't the only player from Tianjin who could make an impact, as close friend Duan Yingying also won her first match.

"I'm really happy for everyone. So many young Chinese players now are playing so well, and we come from the same city," Zhang said.

"Since eight or nine years old, we've been training in the same training center. We've been training together a long time so I'm really happy to see so many players from my country and my city play well.

"I hope they can get better and better."

China has been waiting for another player to make a breakthrough after the 2014 retirement of Li Na, whose two Grand Slam titles brought tennis to a mass audience in the country.

Duan, also 27, won in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 against Rebecca Sramkova, and can achieve her best Grand Slam performance to date if she beats Varvara Lepchenko of the US in round two.

Peng Shuai, who also lives in Tianjin and reached the US Open semifinals in 2014, joined Zhang and Duan in the second round with a 6-0, 7-6 (5) win over Daria Kasatkina.

Wang Qiang, another member of the Tianjin contingent, lost to Croatia's Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6 in the first round on Tuesday night, joining compatriots Zheng Saisai, Zhu Lin and Han Xinyun, who all dropped their opening matches earlier in the day.

Before last year's Australian Open, Zhang had never won a Grand Slam main-draw match and was on the verge of quitting tennis.

She said she felt confident on her return to Melbourne, where she'll face Alison Riske of the US in round two.

"I don't want to compare it with last year because last year I did so well and I just want to enjoy this year. I played really well today," she said.

"I'm feeling very confident on court because I like it here so much. I hope I can keep the feeling I had today and play better and better. I'm looking forward to my next match."

'Little bit lucky'

It wasn't the easiest of victories for Peng. The former world No 14 had to come from behind in the second set against a more determined 23rd seed Kasatkina.

"It looked like an easy score (in the first set) but it is not because we rallied and she also had a break point, but I saved it," Peng said after the match.

"We both had the chance, and in the end I think I was a little bit lucky with the tie break."

Following a bout of injuries and inconsistent play, the 30-year-old has managed to increase her world ranking by 100 positions to No 82, regaining form at the Tianjin Open in October.

It's a solid start for the Chinese stalwart after a disastrous 2016 campaign following surgery. In doubles play, she "could not even cover half the court".

"It's a really good win ... this is a really good time for me," said Peng, who will face Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in round two.

"I know she is a good player ... I just have to fight and enjoy it," Peng said of Bouchard, noting she distinctly remembers their tussle at the 2014 Indian Wells Masters.

"She beat me really easy. I'll really try this time to win," Peng said.

"I don't think I' m going to look at video of that match. I think I'll watch a good match, with good points, to get myself more confident."

(China Daily 01/18/2017 page24)