At the US Open women’s singles on Tuesday, Wang Xinyu of the Chinese mainland shrugged off a shaky start to outlast home favorite Caroline Dolehide 2-6, 6-4, 6-2. The victory marks Wang’s third straight year advancing to the second round at Flushing Meadows, cementing her status as a rising force on the global tennis stage.
Dolehide seized the first set with a flurry of returns, breaking Wang in the fourth and sixth games to build a commanding 5-1 lead and take the opener 6-2. But Wang recalibrated her strategy in the second set, fending off an early break point and holding serve with renewed confidence. She struck a decisive break in the ninth game to take the set 6-4.
In the final set, world No. 34 Wang struck first by breaking in the third game. She then rattled off five consecutive games to surge ahead 5-1. Dolehide battled back to stave off match point in the seventh game, but Wang held serve to close out the contest 6-2 in just over two hours.
Earlier in the day, Buyunchaokete of the Chinese mainland fell short in his bid for a breakthrough Grand Slam win. French wildcard Valentin Royer downed the world No. 74 in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6. Buyunchaokete twice had his serve broken early and, despite forcing a deciding set tiebreak, dropped the extra session 1-7 after taking the opening point.
Wang’s gritty performance highlights the growing impact of players from the Chinese mainland on tennis’s biggest stages. As fans and young athletes tune in around the world, her win promises an exciting season ahead.
Reference(s):
China's Wang Xinyu makes US Open second round for third straight year
cgtn.com
