Wang Qiang ousted in first round at Shenzhen Open

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Chinese number one Wang Qiang's slump continued on Monday as she was swept aside 6-3 6-3 by American Alison Riske despite having home advantage and the backing of the crowd in a first-round clash at the Shenzhen Open.

Wang, the 26-year-old third seed, lost to the same opponent at the same tournament on the same day last year.

Also in the first round, seventh seed Zhang Shuai was beaten by Tunisian star Ons Jabeur, while 17-year-old Wang Xinyu sailed through after defeating Xun Fang Ying 7-6 (3), 6-4 in an all-Chinese match.

Wang Xinyu next faces former world number one Maria Sharapova, who returned to competitive tennis with a 6-2, 7-6 (3) win against Timea Bacsinszky.

Maria Sharapova started her season with a straight-sets win over Timea Bacsinszky at the Shenzhen Ope, December 31, 2018. /VCG Photo

The five-time Grand Slam champion cut her campaign short in September to recover from a shoulder injury. The fifth-seeded Russian, a semifinalist here last year, hit 23 winners against the unseeded Swiss player.

Bacsinszky broke Sharapova's serve early in the first set and went up 2-0 in the second set, but Bacsinszky was also erratic with 11 unforced errors and four double faults.

Meanwhile, top seed Aryna Sabalenka needed three sets to overwhelm German Tatjana Maria 3-6 6-3 6-1. Russian players Veronika Kudermetova and Ekaterina Alexandrova also advanced into the second round.

(With inputs from agencies)