Zheng Saisai storms into the China Open's second round

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The annual China Open got underway in Beijing on Sunday and the home favorite Zheng Saisai defeated Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska in the first round at the Chinese capital's National Tennis Center.

The Chinese star's 6-4, 6-3 victory included three break points in the first set as she continued her recovery from a knee injury that kept her out of action for a year.

The 24-year-old had knee surgery in March after sustaining the injury during last year's US Open. A cross-court forehand winner by Zheng wrapped up the contest and set up for round two with Sloan Stephens.

Wang Yafan of China hits a return against Caroline Garcia of France during their Women's Singles 1st Round match of the 2018 China Open. /VCG Photo

Meanwhile, the defending champion, Caroline Garcia went past another Chinese in the draw, Wang Yafan. Garcia took the opening set 7-6 after she found the net at the crucial set point.

The world number 78 won the second by the same score but came up short in the decider. A 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 win in three-hours was sealed by the French player when Wang fired wide at the match-point. Garcia will now take on Slovenia's Polana Hercog.

Among the other in the first round, China's Duan Yingying lost 6-3, 6-2 to Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova. Top-seed Simona Halep was forced to retire due to a back injury after losing the first set 6-1 to Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, and third-seed Angelique Kerber beat France's Kristina Mladenovic in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.