In a thrilling display of resilience, China’s Wang Xinyu overcame Australia’s Arina Rodionova 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Tuesday, securing her place in the second round of the US Open for the second consecutive year.
The match began unfavorably for Wang, who conceded two breaks in the first set, allowing Rodionova to take the lead after nine games. The Australian continued her momentum into the second set, breaking Wang in the fifth game. However, Wang immediately broke back, leveling the score. Seizing the opportunity, she broke Rodionova again in the pivotal tenth game to claim the set and even the match.
With renewed confidence, the 22-year-old from China dominated the third set. As Rodionova’s stamina waned, Wang surged ahead to a commanding 4-0 lead. Although the pair exchanged breaks in the following two games, Wang held her serve in the seventh game to clinch the victory.
While Wang Xinyu celebrates her advancement, fellow Chinese players faced setbacks. Wang Qiang was defeated by Russia’s 16th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 7-5. Despite leading 5-3 in the second set, Wang Qiang was unable to capitalize, ultimately dropping four consecutive games.
Zhang Shuai’s challenging streak continued as she suffered her 23rd straight singles loss, falling to the USA’s Ashlyn Krueger 0-6, 6-1, 7-5. The match marked Krueger’s first-ever Grand Slam victory.
Additionally, Zheng Saisai exited the tournament after a 6-4, 6-1 defeat to France’s Jessika Ponchet.
Reference(s):
Wang Xinyu comes back to beat Rodionova, makes U.S. Open second round
cgtn.com
