Two-time Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza has heaped praise on Chinese youngster Wang Xinyu after a thrilling Shenzhen Open opening encounter that saw the Spaniard emerge triumphant 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 despite a sluggish start. 

The mere thought of facing the former world No. 1 might send shivers down the spines of any fresh-faced teenager, but 18-year-old Wang seemed unfazed and stood out with her confidence and ambition from the get-go. She ruthlessly wrapped up the first set in scintillating fashion. 

However, as the match wore on, Muguruza's experience, conviction and quality eventually won. The fourth seed lived up to her status by hitting three aces each in both the following sets and staged an admirable comeback.

"I think it was my first match in a long time and you cannot expect to play your best tennis," said Muguruza. "My opponent played very well in the beginning and it took me some time and I had to be patient to wait for my opportunities. I'm happy I managed to win at the end." 

There is no denying that one of the big positives from the day was Wang's brilliant performance, that even got Muguruza nodding in agreement. "She [Wang] has incredible potential, she hits the ball very well. She's a very young player but [I would be] very optimistic about her future if she keeps working." 

Meanwhile, Chinese No. 1 Wang Qiang progressed into the second round for the first time in three years after cruising past Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 6-0, 6-3 with relative ease.  

"Overall I think I performed well today. I felt a little bit nervous and worried before the match, because I was afraid that I couldn't perform what I've learned in my daily training. Luckily, everything was under control today," Wang observed. 

"My focus in training is more on physical strength for me now. I think the most important thing for me is to be able to last a season without an injury," she added.

In an all-Chinese clash, Peng Shuai outclassed her younger compatriot Zhu Lin 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought contest, while another Chinese star Zheng Saisai bowed out as she slumped to a 6-2, 1-6, 6-2 defeat at the hands of seventh seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. 

Earlier in the day, defending champion Aryna Sabalanka, who played her first competitive match of the season, showed no sign of rustiness as she swatted past Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan in just 71 minutes. 

Czech Republic's Kristyna Pliskova overwhelmed Romanian qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu 6-3, 6-3, while American Shelby Rogers moved past compatriot Nicole Gibbs 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in a marathon two hour and 33 minute long match.