Wuhan Open: Wang Qiang into 3rd round, Barty bounces back to advance

Wang Qiang sails into third round at Wuhan Open on Tuesday. /VCG Photo

China's Wang Qiang powered to a straight-set, 6-3, 6-3 win over Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, while her compatriot Wang Yafan lost to top seed Sloane Stephens 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 in round of 32 on Tuesday at the 2019 Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.

It is the first time for Wang Qiang to face the 58th-ranked Marie Bouzkova in her career as the world No. 16 took control of the match from the outset, with domineering baseline play on return allowing her to rack up winners despite much stronger shooting on serve (73 percent) from her opponent.

Wang next plays American Alison Riske, who defeated Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a two-hour 32-minute showdown.

Sloane Stephens was given a bit more trouble in her 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory against local hopeful Wang Yafan, needing over two hours to advance to the round of 16.

Wang Yafan loses in a second round clash with Sloane Stephens at Wuhan. /VCG Photo

Stephens stormed to a 4-1 lead at the outset, breaking Wang three times despite being brought to deuce and fighting back and forth for the second point.

The second set was a bit of a role reversal, with Wang breaking three times and logging some solid all cross court shooting from the forehand side to force a decider, which Stephens win with ease despite Wang taking her to break point three times.

Next up for Stephens is No. 5 seed Petra Kvitova, who advanced into the third round in the evening session Monday evening.

Action on center court started with Simona Halep of Romania, seeded fourth in Wuhan, moving into the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Barbora Strycova, maintaining her unbeaten record against the Czech in a breezy 85 minutes.

Third-ranked Elina Svitolina ousted two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza 7-5, 6-2.

Barty drops 1st set but rallies past Garcia at Wuhan on Tuesday. /VCG Photo

French Open champion Ashleigh Barty came from a set down to defeat Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 to move into the third round.

Garcia beat Barty in the 2017 Wuhan final, but the Australian No. 1 managed to cut down on her mistakes after making 19 unforced errors in the first set.

Up next for Barty as she continues her quest to remain World No.1 will be No.15 seed American Sofia Kenin, who won a hard-fought match against Belgian Elise Mertens 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5).

(With input from agencies)