China Open: Stephens exits, Peng Shuai advances

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US tennis champ Sloane Stephens was knocked out in the first round of the China Open while Chinese player Peng Shuai edged out US' Shelby Rogers by 7-6 (3), 3-6, 7-5 to advance to the second round.

Both Peng and her American opponents played strong games throughout until Peng broke Rogers' serve in the 12th game in the third set to claim victory.

"I think there are lots of twists and turns. In the third set I took 4-1 lead then there were a lot of game points. But all of a sudden I felt really nervous, feeling a little bit afraid to play," said Peng.

"But when it was 5-5, I felt that I shouldn't be so conservative, that I should fight."

Chinese tennis player Peng Shuan. /Photo via 163.com

Awaiting Peng in the second round is Monica Niculescu of Romania, who stunned the world number seven Johanna Konta of Britain 6-1, 6-2.

"She has a very strange way of playing. When I played her before, she played a lot of slice. I think I need to be fully prepared when I play her," Peng said.

The most jaw-dropping moment came as US Open champion Stephens was defeated by her fellow American qualifier Christina McHale 6-3, 6-0 in just 62 minutes.

Last week the 24-year-old lost to home player Wang Qiang in the opening round of the Wuhan Open.

The loss extends Stephens' poor run after sealing her first Grand Slam last month.

US tennis player Shelby Rogers. /Photo via 163.com‍

"Tough day, not really much to say," Stephens said. "Obviously not a great match so just forget about it and move on, try to have a better level for the next tournament."

World number one Garbine Muguruza of Spain also fell at the first hurdle as she retired from the first round due to illness.

The Spaniard lost 6-1 in the first set to unseeded Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic before calling a medical timeout at 2-0 down, before withdrawing in the second set.

"I got virus in Wuhan. It's good that I could play on Monday. I had more days to rest. But, in fact, I couldn't perform today," the reigning Wimbledon champion said.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark eased past Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia 6-2, 6-2.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency