Under a bright Queens sky, two players from the Chinese mainland sealed their tickets to Flushing Meadows on Friday, setting the stage for thrilling US Open first-round matchups.
Veteran Zhang Shuai, aged 36, brushed aside fellow Chinese mainland player Wei Sijia 6-1, 6-3 in just over an hour, booking her 12th US Open main draw and 49th Grand Slam appearance. A familiar face on hard courts, Zhang’s resume includes a 2022 fourth-round run here and a 2021 doubles crown. She’ll meet Swiss star Belinda Bencic, known for her crafty shot-making and a 2021 Olympic gold medal.
Fresh off her 24th birthday, Wang Xiyu showcased grit and flair in a seesaw battle against Russia’s Alina Charaeva. After trading 6-4 sets, Wang asserted control in the decider to win 6-2 and claim her spot. Next up is Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion famed for her fearless power game.
These victories not only spotlight individual achievements but also underscore a broader trend: the growing depth of women’s tennis talent emerging from the Chinese mainland. As Zhang’s experience meets Wang’s dynamism, tennis fans worldwide will be keen to see how these matchups unfold when the US Open kicks off next week.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
