Zhang Shuai, Wang Xinyu shine in the opening round of China Open

China's Zhang Shuai secured victory over McCartney Kessler in a nail-biting contest to advance to the next round and end a 24-game losing streak at the China Open on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old lost a point when she hit long to give Kessler a 1-love lead in the opener. Zhang, who had previously reached the last eight twice at this event, leveled the score to five when her American opponent found the net.

The set then went to a tiebreak as Zhang claimed victory with a powerful forehand winner.

The second set was also close as Kessler's cross-court forehand winner leveled the score at five apiece.

The two could not be separated and and another tiebreak was required. Zhang went on to win 7-1 sending her to the second round where she will meet American Emma Navarro.

Another Chinese player, Olympic mixed doubles silver medalist Wang Xinyu, delivered a commanding performance against Japan's Mai Hontama, winning decisively 6-1 and 6-3.

Wang, who is also last year's French Open women's doubles champion, took the first set 6-1 when the Japanese hit the net.

She continued to dominate the second set, winning it 6-3 to set up a meeting with Veronika Kudermetova in the second round.

"I have been trying to get used to the hard court in the recent days. I took part in hard court competitions as soon as I finished the Paris Olympics this summer, so there was no time for me to make training. I made adjustments in formal matches and intervals," Wang said.

Another Chinese player Wang Qiang was upset by Alycia Parks from the United States in three sets. Wang took the first set 6-1, but she lost her rhythm in the second set, making mistakes in her serve.

The 23-year-old American took the second set 6-4 as Wang hit long.

Parks played dominantly in the third frame, winning it 6-2 as Wang hit long. Parks will meet Magdalena Frech of Poland in the next round.