The Australian Open has seen a mixed performance from Chinese players, with women making significant strides while men faced early eliminations.
Wang Xiyu marked her return to Rod Laver Arena with a resilient first-round victory over Austria's Julia Grabher, winning 6-1, 7-5. After a disappointing exit at last month's ASB Classic, Wang bounced back by securing seven consecutive games against a lower-ranked opponent. She now advances to face the USA's Emma Navarro in the next round.
In another impressive display, Wang Yafan overcame Hungary's Anna Bondar after dropping the first set. Her comeback, winning the second and third sets 6-3, 6-4, showcases her determination and skill. Wang will next compete against Russian ninth seed Daria Kasatkina for a spot in the last 32.
Despite the strong performances from the women, the men's side saw setbacks. Zhang Zhizhen, China's top-ranked male player, was defeated in a five-set thriller by Denmark's Holger Rune, with the final score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Additionally, Zhang's compatriot, Shang Juncheng, had to withdraw due to injury, resulting in China's male presence exiting the tournament in the first round.
These outcomes highlight the contrasting fortunes of Chinese athletes at the Australian Open, with the women demonstrating remarkable resilience and the men facing tough competition early on.
Reference(s):
Australian Open: Chinese women excel but men suffer early eliminations
cgtn.com
