Zhang, Zheng power China past Czech Republic at United Cup

Chinese tennis players achieved an opening victory in their debut at the United Cup on Saturday, as Zhang Zhizhen and Zheng Qinwen won 3-0 against tennis powerhouse the Czech Republic in the singles matches and together as a pair.  

Zhang, ranked 58th in the world, defeated Jiri Lehecka 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, followed by women's world No.15 Zheng beating Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 2-6, 6-1, before the two, who had never paired before, beat Lehecka and Vondrousova 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour.

Zhang shook off a sluggish start against big-serving world No.31 Lehecka, and gradually found chances with his accurate backhand to take control of a contest marked by heavy-hitting on the baseline.

"I'm super happy that I kept the mentality very well today, like, calm," Zhang said. "Even (though) I had some breakdowns and the other guy, Lehecka, breaking back, I still kept the same mentality, which was very good today."

Later, 21-year-old Zheng started strongly by winning 12 of the first 13 points before wrapping up the first set in clinical fashion. Zheng appeared to be running away with the contest after an early break in the second set, but No. 7 Vondrousova mustered her Grand Slam winning pedigree and dictated the rallies to draw level. Zheng regrouped and rediscovered her aggressive form in a barnstorming finish to emerge victorious in their first head-to-head encounter and seal the win for China. 

"I had a really good first set. I stayed in my game plan and played really solid, also aggressive. But in the second set, I think I started to lose some concentration and she started to play a bit better. I had those easy shot mistakes, so I made her come back," Zheng said after the match.  

"But anyway, I'm just happy to win this match. It doesn't matter if it's second set or the third set, because I play for my team. And I'm happy also in the third set that my performance was much better than the second set, and I was able to turn myself back and come into the match," she added.

China will face Serbia, led by 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic, on Sunday afternoon. Djokovic jokingly said "thank you" to the Chinese players as he walked past their post-match conference.  

"They are in form. They have great players. Big Chinese community here. Also Serbian community. Hopefully, we can feel the energy on the stands and support for both nations and really celebrate New Year's in best possible way for Serbians. Maybe for Chinese the other day," said a laughing Djokovic as he looked forward to Sunday's matches.  

The mixed team tournament runs from December 29 to January 7, with 18 teams placed into six groups in round robin.   

(With input from Xinhua)