China's women's tennis campaign at the US Open suffered a major setback on Sunday as all four singles players competing on the opening day crashed out in the first round. The early exits of Wang Xiyu, Zhang Shuai, Wang Yafan, and Zhu Lin have left only two remaining contenders to carry national hopes at Flushing Meadows.
Wang Xiyu's 6-4, 6-3 loss to 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko marked her second consecutive first-round exit at the tournament. The 22-year-old qualifier struggled against the Latvian's powerful baseline game, highlighting the gap between emerging talent and established champions.
Veteran Zhang Shuai, once ranked 22nd globally, fell 6-3, 6-3 to Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic. The defeat raises questions about the 36-year-old's future in elite competition as younger players ascend.
Wang Yafan's dramatic collapse against American Emma Navarro proved particularly agonizing. After leading 5-3 and holding three set points, the 29-year-old succumbed 7-6(5), 6-3 in a match that exposed the mental demands of Grand Slam competition.
Zhu Lin's 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 marathon against Russia's Anastasia Potapova showcased Chinese resilience, but ultimately underscored the physical toll of three-set battles in New York's late summer heat.
With Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu set to compete this week, Chinese fans now pin their hopes on the remaining players to salvage national pride at the season's final major tournament.
