Rising tennis star 'confident' after China Open showing

With her confidence boosted by a phenomenal run in Beijing, Chinese ace Wang Qiang has set her sights on achieving more Grand Slam breakthroughs as the sport longs for the next Li Na.

Although she lost to world No 2 Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets at the singles semifinals of the 2018 China Open on Saturday, Wang, a rising star from Tianjin, still has plenty to cheer about. She is the second Chinese to go this far at the Women's Tennis Association Premier Mandatory event, after Li in 2010 and 2012.

Wang's career-best performance in Beijing triggered a standing ovation from her home fans, who have been eagerly awaiting another Chinese to shine on the pro circuit after Li hung up her racket in September 2014 because of a chronic right knee injury.