China's doubles specialist Zheng Jie has reached the second round of women's singles at the US Open after a fierce battle against Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic: 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

Zheng, the 29th seed at the 18.5 million dollars Grand Slam event, took two and a half hours to oust the 27-year-old Czech.

Zheng was not in her best form today as she commited 47 unforced errors throughout the match.

Both players took advantage of the opponent's weak serves. Peschke broke Zheng's serve six times from eight break points and Zheng made seven out of 17. The last break in the 12th game of the third set decided the outcome of the match.

Zheng will meet the winner of Czech Hana Sromova and Russian Anastassia Rodionova's match in the second round.

(CRI August 29, 2006)