US Open: China’s women reach new heights in New York, fab 4 through to last 32 for first time at a grand slam
- Zheng Qinwen and Yuan Yue join Wang Xiyu and Zhang Shaui in third round at Flushing Meadows
- China’s tennis stars making history in men’s and women’s singles
Zheng Qinwen and Yuan Yue joined compatriots Wang Xiyu and Zhang Shuai in the third round of the US Open on Thursday – the first time in history four women from China have reached the last 32 of a single grand slam event.
Rising star Zheng held her nerve to defeat Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in straight sets, winning 7-6, 7-6 to set up a third round clash with Germany’s Jule Niemeier.
Qualifier Yuan meanwhile matched Zheng’s achievement with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-6 defeat of Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.
Yuan will now face Jessica Pegula of the United States on Saturday for a place in the last 16.
On Wednesday, Wang produced a stunning upset to send third seed Maria Sakkari of Greece tumbling out of the tournament, winning 3-6, 7-5, 7-5.
While Chinese women’s tennis has enjoyed increasing success over the past decade, with Li Na famously becoming the first player from Asia to win grand slam singles at the French Open in 2011 and Australian Open in 2014, never before have so many women from China advanced to the third round of the same tournament.
China has also celebrated a US Open first in the men’s draw, with 22-year-old Wu Yibing advancing to the third round on Wednesday.
