The first round of the Wuhan Open got underway on Sunday with both Chinese players in action advancing, and concluded with a major top-flight casualty.
The day started with Chinese wildcard Zheng Saisai taking out American qualifier Danielle Collins in the opening match on the center court.
World No.40 Zhang Shuai delighted home fans with an easy 6-2, 6-2 victory over her US Open Doubles partner and Australian wildcard entry Samantha Stosur.
Top-ranked Australian singles player Samantha Stosur in action during the match with China's Zhang Shuai in Wuhan Open in Wuhan, central China, September 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
"I think we know each other so much, we play doubles together, we are training together. So I think we know each other very well," she remarked.
Zhang will face lucky loser Polana Herzog, who replaced world No. 7 and US Open champion Naomi Osaka in the second round after she dropped out earlier today due to illness.
Kontaveit upsets Stephens
Sloane Stephens of USA returns a shot against Anett Kontaveit of Estonia during their match of the Wuhan Open in Wuhan, central China, September 23, 2018. /VCG Photo
The late match on Sunday delivered a shock, as world No. 9 Sloane Stephens lost a hard-fought two hour 33 minute match against Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Stephens was shaky out of the gate, but some solid ground strokes powered her past the Estonian in the first set.
The US Open champion couldn't maintain that momentum, and Kontaveit repeatedly fought her to deuce over the course of the next two sets, eventually condemning Stephens to a first round knockout.
China star Li Na appears in hometown tournament
Li Na in action during a performance match with Zhang Shuai. /VCG Photo
Chinese legend Li Na, a Wuhan native, appeared in the stadium as the ambassador of WTA Wuhan Open and had an exhibition match with China's Zhang Shuai.
As the champion of the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open, Li Na managed to promote and expand the influence of Wuhan Open.
Besides, Chinese wildcards Duan Yingying and Wang Yafan took out the duo of Belinda Bencic and Alize Cornet in a rollercoaster match 0-6, 7-6(2), 10-6. They will face Ashleigh Barty and Coco Vandeweghe, who received a bye into round two.