Wang cruises into second round

China's Wang Qiang enjoyed a career milestone by winning her first Grand Slam match at the US Open on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Wang beat Paula Kania from Poland 6-2, 6-0 to get her victory.

"The match was much tougher than what the score shows," said Wang.

"I was just lucky to win in my first Grand Slam match."

Wang is aiming to move into the WTA's top 100 and a second-round, or better, show at the US Open would greatly help her to achieve her goal.

Wang was the third Chinese player to enter the US Open last 64. Her next opponent will be 29th-seeded Australian Casey Dellacqua.

World No 33 Zhang Shuai, the only seeded Chinese player at the Open, fell in the first round, 6-1, 6-2 to German Mona Barthel.

It was Zhang's 12th Grand Slam appearance but she is still looking for victory No 1.

"I tried my best," said Zhang, "but the injury was too much."

Zhang had been suffering from a right arm injury since the Western and South Open this month and it prevented her from training until about three days before the tournament.

"Anyway, it's the US Open, so I had to give it a try," said Zhang.

Xinhua

(China Daily 08/28/2014 page24)