Sun Tiantian contradicted descriptions of her win over Serena Williams at the China Open WTA tournament yesterday as a "miracle." She had ended the fourth seed's defending campaign with an upsetting victory in straight sets.

"Miracle? No, I don't think so. The miracle for me happened last year," said the 24-year-old who made history for China 13 months ago in Athens by winning the women's doubles Olympic gold medal.

Sun, currently 127th on the WTA Tour rankings, overcame ninth-ranked Williams 6-2, 7-6 (7) to reach the quarterfinals of the US$585,000 hardcourt event, following her compatriot Peng Shuai to be the only other Chinese to make last eight so far at the China Open.

Breaking her former world number one opponent in the very first game of the match, doubles specialist Sun served and received excellently throughout the match as well as displaying impressive baseline play.

"I'm satisfied with everything I did on court today," said Sun, who entered the main draw with a wildcard. "The best part was to contest the former world number one, though she's obviously uncomfortable with her leg or ankle, which did hold back her performance."

"It's a chance for me to boost my confidence for better results in future. I had many chances before but only this time I caught it," she said.

"My main goal for this season is to raise my position in the rankings to the top 100, and this victory may help a lot in realizing it," she added.

Next Sun will face the winner between Japanese Aiko Nakamura and Russian Maria Kirilenko, who will play on Thursday.

"I don't know who will be my next opponent and maybe tomorrow I can spare some time to watch their match," said Sun.

Earlier, China's highest ranked female player Peng Shuai scraped through to the quarters after overcoming a slow start to beat Mariana Diaz-Oliva of Argentina 3-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/0) in two hours and 27 minutes, the first player to clinch a spot in the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Zheng Jie upset Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 to hand the sixth seed first-round elimination. Zheng will next meet Marta Domachowska of Poland, who outclassed American Meghann Shaughnessy 6-3, 6-3.

(Xinhua News Agency and China Daily September 22, 2005)