VIDEO: Venus Williams forced to dig deep in battle against 199th ranked outsider at Hong Kong Open
Seven-time grand slam champion struggles to overcome qualifier Yuliya Beygelzimer; local hope Zhang Ling bows out to Japan's Kurumi Nara
Hong Kong's only participant in the singles event at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open fell at the first hurdle on a sun-drenched day at Victoria Park on Tuesday as Zhang Ling went down in two sets to Japan's Kurumi Nara.
Meanwhile, third seed Venus Williams was forced to dig deep to overcome lucky loser qualifier Yuliya Beygelzimer.
WATCH: Highlights of Venus Williams' opening round thriller at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open
[Beygelzimer] came out and for sure played the match of her life. That's what I have to be ready for every time
The 199-ranked Beygelzimer came in as an eleventh-hour injury replacement, and very nearly pulled off the shock of the tournament so far.
Against a visibly struggling Williams, the Ukrainian took the first set 6-2, before ceding the second 4-6.
However, with the whole of centre court roaring the seven-time grand slam champion home, a frustrated but determined Williams completed an epic 6-4 final-set win, putting an end to Beygelzimer's courageous effort after two hours and 13 minutes.
"She came out and for sure played the match of her life," said a relieved Williams. "That's what I have to be ready for every time."