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Peng breezes through first test
Beijing, 20 September 2005 - Chinese No.1 Peng Shuai joined compatriot Sun Tiantian in the second round of the China Open on Tuesday after imposing an emphatic 6-1, 6-1 victory on Finland’s Emma Laine.
The qualifier from the north of Europe had no answer on the night to the superior play of world No.33 Peng, beaten by Laine in the first round of the US Open just three weeks ago.
Earlier, Sun, one half of China’s Athens Olympic champion doubles team with compatriot Li Ting, became the first local player into the second round.
Sun advanced into a Wednesday test against defending champion Serena Williams through her defeat of Russian Tatiana Panova 6-3, 6-4.
American Jill Craybas handed China its only loss on Day Two as she came from behind to oust Li Na 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 7-5.
Peng pounced on No.88 Laine with a lightning opening set which she won in 24 minutes.
The second was slightly more combatative but Laine, playing in only her fifth WTA main draw of the season, was unable to turn the tide against the home favourite, who ended it with an ace after 64 minutes, her 28th winner.
Conditions on the day were far from ideal at the Beijing Tennis Centre, with light drizzle occasionally interrupting concentration.
The 23-year-old Sun, ranked 127th in the world and 2002 winner of a minor title in the capital, managed to go through to earn a place in one of the biggest matches of a career which begin in 2000 as she takes on Williams.
Sun’s last top-level opponent was then No.1 Lindsay Davenport, who beat her in the second round at Amelia Island, Florida, in April, 2004. She has also lost twice to Spain’s 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
“I will try my best,” said Sun on the prospect of meeting the mighty Serena. “I can only raise my level play playing against the best. I want to test myself against higher-ranked players.
“The first match is always the most difficult. You have to get used to the conditions, but it’s the same for both players.”
The Chinese player, who turns 24 next month, improved her season mark to 5-4 as she overcame a first-round defeat a week ago in Bali. ”I’m very satisfied with my performance today,” said the winner.
In other matches on a day slowed by the weather, Spain’s Nuria Llagostera Vives defeated Russian Alina Jidkova 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) to set up a meeting with Venus Williams.
Japan’s Aiko Nakamura advanced to the second round, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 over Italian Flavia Pennetta, while Russia’s Maria Kirilenko stopped American qualifier Jamea Jackson 7-5, 7-5.
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Released on behalf of TOM Group and the China Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.