Wang's working overtime to get back in winning groove

Wang Yafan hopes the fighting spirit she summoned at this week's Wuhan Open can kickstart a late-season surge for the Chinese ace.

Victories have been scarce for the world No 48 since she won her first WTA title at Mexico's Acapulco Open in March, but Wang is feeling more positive about her game after advancing past Lauren Davis on Monday and then giving 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens a scare in a three-set loss on Tuesday.

It was the first time Wang had reached the second round at the prestigious WTA Premier 5 tournament, giving the Nanjing native confidence that she can close out the year strongly.