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

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Ann Li, of the US, hits a return against China’s Zhang Shuai on day two of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:54am, 9 Feb 2021Updated: 12:22pm, 9 Feb 2021

Chinese No 2 Zhang Shuai has followed No 1 Wang Qiang out of the Australian Open after losing her first round match to 20-year-old Ann Li, of the United States.

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.

Much has been expected of Chinese-American Li since she was runner-up at Junior Wimbledon in 2017, where she was beaten by fellow Chinese-American Claire Liu.

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.

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