Wang Qiang powers into US Open third round for first time

World
Europe

China's tennis star Wang Qiang has raced into the third round of the US Open for the first time in devastating style.

The 26-year-old was too powerful for Romania's Irina Begu in a 6-3 6-1 win Thursday as she continued to impress after bagging the women's singles title at the Asian Games last week.

Wang began the encounter on a high note breaking Begu's serve in the first game of the first set. The Tianjin native, however, surrendered the break right away in the next game before slipping further in the set.

Wang Qiang waves to supporters after securing the women's singles tennis title at the Asian Games, August 24. /VCG Photo

Wang visibly lost her composure but steadied herself in time to break Begu two more times – consecutively in the seventh and ninth game – to clinch the first set.

The second set was completely dominated by Wang, who fired a dazzling array of shots that had the Romanian racing around the court to little avail, and ultimately served out the match on her terms in the seventh game of the set.

Next up for Wang in the round of 16 is Ukrainian seventh seed Elina Svitolina, who eased past Tatjana Maria 6-2 6-3.