Peng continues strong China run at Open

China's Peng Shuai pulled off another local upset yesterday when she stunned defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the second round of the China Open.

Peng's hopes of overcoming the former No 1 were considered slim as she had lost all six of their previous encounters however, the world No 53 managed to continue a stunning run by local players by fighting back from a 4-6, 3-5 deficit to claim victory.

Peng became the third host player to advance to the third round alongside Zhang Shuai, who upset the former world No 1 Dinara Safina on Monday, and Li Na, who downed Czech Lucie Safarova.

"I'm very excited to win this match. I lost all of my matches to her before today. Some were quite painful. In some I was leading but I failed to last," the 23-year-old said.

Peng broke into tears after winning the 116-minute encounter and used the public address system to thank the fans.

"They really helped me a lot, especially during the hard times in the second set. It just encouraged me to move ahead," she said.

It was Peng's first victory over a top 10 player in the past 17 months and third win over a former world No 1 at the China Open. She defeated France's Amelie Mauresmo and Swiss Martina Hingis in Beijing at the 2007 tournament.

Jankovic, the tournament's eighth seed, partly attributed her loss to an arm injury which forced her to withdraw from the title match at the Pan Pacific Open last week in Japan.

"My arm is getting better and better but it was still making the match difficult for me," the defending champion said.

"I had a chance in the second set; I was leading 5-3. Unfortunately, I didn't catch it. She (Peng) really did a better job."

Meanwhile, American Serena Williams reclaimed the world No 1 ranking by defeating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-2.

On Monday, China's world No 226, Zhang Shuai, upset Safina in the second round, which cleared the way for Williams, the second seed here, to re-occupy the top slot.

The American didn't waste the opportunity yesterday, routing Makarova in straight sets to advance to the third round.

Williams, the current world No 2, is now assured of returning to the top of the WTA rankings when the new list is released next week.

"I feel really good. Of course I'm excited to become the No 1 again. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself but obviously I'm happy to be there. I've been working hard all through the year," the 28-year-old said.

"It is a tough part of the year. It's coming to the end of the season and everyone is tired. I just try my best to stay tough on the court."

The 11-time Grand Slam winner has occupied the top place off and on for 72 weeks since July 8, 2002 and this marks her third return to the peak. Her previous reign was ended by Safina on April 19.

"I think I've earned it (world No 1 spot)," Williams said.

"I won two Grand Slams and I should have got more. But you know what, I'm just excited to have those two, which is great. I just played consistent all of the year."

Maria Sharapova, another former No 1 and winner of the Pan Pacific Open last week, showed her resolve by surviving a three-set thriller yesterday.

Sharapova fought back from 2-5 down in the decisive third set and won five games in a row to eliminate Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-5.

"When I was about to lose in the third set I just stayed positive and aggressive. I tried my best to keep going. The match is not over until you shake hands with your rival," the 22-year-old said.

Like Peng, she said the fans' support through the match helped her at crucial moments.

"When you felt you needed more motivation in the match, their support just came,"she said.

"I don't want to be going home. I am enjoy my time in Beijing very much."

There will be a dilemma for local fans today when Peng takes on Sharapova in a third-round encounter.

Zheng will play Marion Bartoli of France while Li meets Beijing Olympic champion Elena Dementieva of Russia, who beat Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-4, 6-3 yesterday.

(China Daily 10/07/2009 page12)