In an impressive display of skill, Wang Xinyu of China advanced to the quarterfinals of the Wuhan Open after defeating second-seeded Jessica Pegula of the USA with a straight-sets victory of 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province.
Wang secured two crucial service breaks in the first set, in the third and ninth games, to clinch the opener and establish a 1-0 lead in the match. The second set proved to be a tighter contest. Both players held their initial three serves, leveling the score at 3-3. Wang broke Pegula's serve in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead, but Pegula fought back by breaking Wang in the ninth game and holding her serve to draw even at 5-5.
Undeterred, Wang served a love game in the eleventh to regain the lead and then capitalized on her fourth break point in the decisive twelfth game. This victory marks Wang's first win over a world top-three player and her debut in the quarterfinals of a Women's Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 tournament.
"I think it was a close match today," Wang said during the post-match press conference. "I only converted one of two breaks in both sets and won the match in the final two games. I believe I did well in placing a lot of pressure on my opponent with my service returns."
Looking ahead, Wang will face Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia in the quarterfinals. The two players have each won once in their previous encounters.
Reference(s):
Wang Xinyu, Zheng Qinwen advance to quarterfinals at Wuhan Open
cgtn.com
