Four out of China’s five women progressed to the second round in Australia; at the expense of some major names. We look at how Li Na’s legacy is finally being realised out on the south east coast of Australia…
China’s women didn’t get off to the greatest of starts in Melbourne on Monday. Their first competitor out on court – Yafan Wang – was, after two and a half hours of play in the sticky midday heat, overcome by Greece’s Maria Sakkari 4-6 6-1 3-6. It was a bitterly disappointing loss for the older and higher ranked Wang, the meeting being her maiden singles main draw outing on a grand slam stage.
Over recent years in the doubles, China has had intermittent success. But the world’s most populated country is crying out for a new superstar. And in Australia, it seemed set to be another tale of an underwhelming Chinese campaign, something that has become increasingly familiar since the infrequent singles appearances of Jie Zheng and Shuai Peng; more pertinently, the departure of Li Na in 2014.
But by the close of Tuesday’s play, there must have been an almighty buzz around Chinese tennis, as well as the feeling of Li Na’s legacy finally being demonstrated on the big stage.
Record-breaking pervaded Li Na’s career. Every step she made seemed to signify unchartered territory. In 2006, whilst Zheng Jie and Yan Zi notched up two grand slam doubles titles, Li Na became the highest ranked Chinese woman ever and in the same year, became the first woman of her nationality to break into the quarterfinals of a singles grand slam. Perhaps the moment that she really captured Chinese public attention though, was when she defeated Venus Williams on home soil in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Then in 2011, came victory at the French Open, elevating her into China’s rich sporting elite. But it was not a smooth rise to grand slam success – it was a rise ravaged by injury and in fact was preceded by a break from professional tennis. Yet the imperfections of Li Na’s rise made it all the more compelling. Li Na was the pioneer of Chinese women’s tennis, and her work seems to be finally bearing fruit in the place where she won her second, and last, grand slam title.
As Wednesday’s play rapidly approaches, the 2016 Australian Open seems set to be – and already has been – a memorable tournament for China. Here’s a round-up of the relatively unknown quantities that are causing quite a stir down in Melbourne…
- Shuai Zhang
The qualifier sent seismic waves through the women’s draw on Tuesday, with her defeat of number two seed Simona Halep. The Romanian, if able to shrug off her achilles injury in the early rounds, would have seen the coming fortnight as an opportune time to scoop her first grand slam title – especially with Williams’ own fitness concerns and the tendency for erratic performances post the off-season. Yet Shuai Zhang prevented her campaign from even getting started; in quite brilliant fashion, defeating Halep 6-4 6-3. The Chinese showed great composure to capitalise on her opponents physical deficiencies, and ultimately beat Halep at her own baseline game. Zhang, who will turn 27 on Thursday, may not quite be a fledgling youngster – this in fact being her first victory in 15 grand slam attempts – but her victory was nonetheless a remarkable one. Thursday will present a tricky test though – going up against the experienced Alizé Cornet.
- Qiang Wang
Sloane Stephens was also upset by a Chinese competitor – Qiang Wang, ranked 102 in the world. The American, although forced to pull out of the Hobart International due to a virus, was being touted for a deep foray into the draw reminiscent of her run to the semis in 2013, after taking her second WTA title in Auckland. Wang, although benefited by Stephens’ error-strewn performance, was highly effective in applying a great deal of pressure on the American’s second serve – with Stephens only winning 35% of points off the back of it. The Chinese’s performance was commendable, staying loyal to her conservative approach under pressure from not only Stephens’ hard hitting, but also her reputation as a revered ball striker. Wang will clash with Anna-Lena Friedsam at 11:00am on Wednesday.
- Saisai Zheng
The promising 21 year old overwhelmed her opponent, Carina Witthoeft, with a mature 6-1 6-2 rout. Zheng reached the second round of the US Open back in 2014, but has since not surpassed the first hurdle of a major. Yet at 83 in the world, she is in a good place to mount a charge on the top 50. That charge looks an even more realistic prospect now, as she will face Johanna Konta rather than eighth seeded Venus Williams in the second round on Thursday.
- Xinyun Han
Xinyun Han likewise progressed to the second round, albeit courtesy of a retirement. Han was 6-2 2-1 up when her Columbian opponent Mariana Duque-Mariño retired. In her next match, she will face Yulia Putintseva, fresh off the back of her upset of Caroline Wozniacki. It is common for players to enter their next match after such a win with a dangerous arrogance-cum-complacency. Han, at 162 in the world, is exactly the sort of unassuming opposition that could trip Putintseva up. They are due third on Wednesday on show court two.
Tennis in China has rapidly progressed over recent years. Its exposure in the media was augmented massively by Li Na’s success; subsequently tennis is now China’s third most popular sport on television. The sport’s popularity is also undoubtedly down to China’s economic prosperity. As China’s economy has boomed, its middle class has expanded, and it is the middle class who are ultimately drawn to tennis. But the success of Li Na unequivocally drove forward the players in Australia now. China boasts 12 players inside the top 200, but only one of those resides in the top 100. The foundations are set – they have the quantity, now they just need someone to stick their head above the parapet and deliver the quality to realise Li Na’s legacy. Melbourne, over the next fortnight, could potentially be the place for that to happen.
Main photo:
