Australian Open 2021: Ann Li sends China’s Zhang Shuai packing in first round
- China No 2 follows No 1 Wang Qiang in Melbourne Park exit after losing in straight sets to 20-year-old from United States
- Chinese-American youngster, who finished runner-up at Junior Wimbledon in 2017, has won last 13 matches
Zhang, the 31st seed, was beaten 6,2, 6-0 in just 47 minutes on the second day of the Melbourne Park grand slam. Li has now won her last 13 matches and faces Alize Cornet of France in the second round.
Li won her first slam main draw match last year in Melbourne and reached the final of the Grampians Trophy on Sunday, though that match was not played.
China’s Zhu Lin beat Whitney Osuigwe, of the US, in straight sets – 6-1, 6-1. The 27-year-old from Beijing made light work of the 18-year-old former Junior World Champion to face Belgian 18th seed Elise Mertens in the second round.
Chinese interest in the tournament continues on Tuesday when China’s Wang Yafan plays 28th seed Donna Vekic, with Zheng Saisai meeting Barbora Krejcíkova in their first round match.
China’s No 1 Wang Qiang crashes out of Australian Open
Nao Hibino, of Japan, followed Li into the second round with victory over Australia’s Astra Sharma on Tuesday morning.
Other Asian players still in the women’s singles include world No 3 Naomi Osaka, of Japan, and Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei, who progressed on Monday beating Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria.
02:08
China’s Li Na enters International Tennis Hall of Fame
Li became the first Asian winner of a grand slam when she triumphed at the 2011 French Open.
