China had mixed fortunes yesterday at the China Open as the country's No.1 Peng Shuai and the Athens doubles gold medallist Sun Tiantian breezed into the second round while Li Na fell to lower-ranked Jill Craybas from the US.
World No.33 Peng thrashed Emma Laine of Finland 6-1, 6-1 to book her second round clash with the Argentine Mariana Diaz-Oliva, who upset the event's fourth seed Alicia Molik of Australia on Monday.
Peng played against Laine in the first round of the US Open last month, when the Finn overcame a 1-5 deficit in the second set and ousted Peng 2-1.
This time, fuelled by 21 winners and five aces, Peng met little resistance throughout as she dominated the court with a steady rhythm and go-for-broke style.
"Actually I was very nervous right into the game as this is the first time I played on center court," said Peng. "I think I adjusted well and found my range."
The 19-year-old broke serves three times and then stepped up to pocket the first set.
The second set saw Peng keep on punching out baseline winners and seal five games in a row before unleashing a 170 km/h ace to wrap up the match.
"This is an encouraging victory for me," Peng said. "I summed up a lot after losing to her at the US Open and I hope to continue my form in the future here in Beijing."
Peng managed to take No.32 on the WTA Rankings last month, surpassing countrywoman Li Na's previous history-making No.33.
Peng became the first Chinese woman to beat top 10 rivals as she beat world No.8 Anastasia Myskina of Russia and No.10 Nadia Petrova earlier this year in Sydney.
In the San Diego Open, she ousted World No.3 Belgian Kim Clijsters and No.8 Elena Dementieva of Russia to make the first ever Tier I event semi-finals appearance for China.
Peng goes up against Diaz-Oliva at 3 PM today. Earlier yesterday, doubles specialist Sun brushed aside Russian Tatiana Panova 6-3, 6-4 in a rain-interrupted match and faces off with defending champion Serena Williams of the US at seven tonight.
"She is simply too strong," said Sun. "I expect to learn something from her, and if I am lucky enough, maybe I could create some chances."
"Monday's long-drawn match in doubles affected my body a lot and it prevented me from playing the first round singles match against Panova in perfect shape," said the 24-year-old, who fought late into the night against Polish Marta Domachowska and Maria Kirilenko from Russia together with Li Ting.
Elsewhere, the country's former No.1 Li threw away a one-set advantage and bowed to the 57-ranked Craybas 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.
In other matches yesterday, Aiko Nakamura of Japan outplayed Italian Flavia Pennetta 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain beat Russian Alina Jidkova 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) while compatriot Maria Kirilenko out-muscled Jamea Jackson of the US 7-5, 7-5.
Chinese player Zheng Jie will face the formidable Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro today, while French teenager Tatiana Golovin meets the rising Japanese Shinobu Asagoe.
(China Daily September 21, 2005)
