Tennis

Lu ready to take on elite after winning 1st big title

By Yu Yilei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-16 09:27

NANJING: China's new national champion, Lu Jingjing, is looking forward to a great leap up the world rankings next season, claiming she is now ready to compete on the highly-competitive WTA tour.

Lu, the world 201, won her maiden major title yesterday by defeating Han Xinyun in the women's singles final of the Mercedes-Benz China Grand Prix, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, and pocketed 90,000 yuan (US$13,200).

The 20-year-old has had little experience competing in the main draw at WTA tournaments as she has spent most of her time on the ITF circuit but yesterday's win has given her great confidence.

"I think I am ready to go to the next level," said Lu after last night's final. "I have played many ITF tournaments and been a consistent performer. Now I am preparing for an opportunity to compete on the WTA tour."

Lu caught fans' eyes at the China Open last month in Beijing as a wildcard entry who was only two points away from an upset victory over then world No 22 Anabel Medina Garrigues. The Spaniard won the tight first-round encounter 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.

"I don't think the distance is that far," she said of her impending step up in class.

Despite her ambitions, Lu needs to start from scratch; she will fly to Australia today to take part in some ITF tournaments, hoping to raise her world ranking and secure a place in the qualifiers of next year's Australian Open.

For Han, it was another disappointment after the National Games last month where she lost to world No 45 Peng Shuai in the final. Yesterday, Han was troubled by shoulder and leg injuries and called for two medical breaks.

"It just happens and I cannot blame the loss on it," the world No 182 said.

In the men's singles, second seed Gong Maoxin defeated veteran and former China No 1 Wang Yu 6-2, 7-5 to take the championship.

It was the last career match for Wang. The 28-year-old from Tianjin announced his retirement after the loss.

Gong also won the men's doubles title yesterday when he teamed with Xue Feng to edge out Beijing twins Gao Wan and Gao Peng 7-6 (4), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5).

In the women's doubles final, Zhang Shuai and Sun Shengnan beat Liang Chen and Lu 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.