Zhengzhou aiming to ace debut as 'premier' showcase

The newly upgraded Zhengzhou Open is primed to take tennis' popularity in China to the next level - back where it all began.

It's 15 years since Henan province native Sun Tiantian and Li Ting won women's doubles gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics to spark the beginnings of China's tennis boom.

So, with the September tournament in Henan's capital promoted to 'premier' status on the WTA calendar for the first time, if feels like the sport is going back to its roots here.