Zheng relishing trickier test at star-studded Zhengzhou Open

Zheng Saisai faces a tough task to be crowned champion again in Zhengzhou this week, despite the Chinese No 3 rating the Henan province capital as her "lucky city".

World No 38 Zheng defeated compatriot Wang Yafan in last year's final, but with the tournament upgraded from 125K to Premier 700 level, and many big names choosing to kick off their Asian swing there, Zheng will have to battle through a much tougher field at the inaugural ICBC Credit Card Zhengzhou Open.

"The championship that I won in Zhengzhou last year greatly boosted my confidence when I had a very hard time in my career," said Zheng, who in August won her first WTA title at the Silicon Valley Classic in California and was a doubles finalist at this year's French Open.