Chinese number one Wang Qiang advances at Miami Open

WASHINGTON -- Chinese women's number one Wang Qiang defeated qualifier Aliona Bolsova of Spain in three sets to advance to the second round of the Miami Open on Wednesday.

Wang, ranked 38th in the world, had to overcome a second-set slump to edge past Bolsova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours.

The 29-year-old Wang broke twice to take the opening set, but it was Bolsova who called the shots in the second set. Wang dropped serve in the opening game to trail 2-0 in the deciding set but fought back to take the victory.

There was also an opening-round win for another Chinese player Zheng Saisai, who rallied past Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai lost to German Andrea Petkovic 7-5, 6-1 while teenager Wang Xiyu fought hard before losing to former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1.