Wang Qiang makes long stride in Beijing, loses in semi-final

World
Europe

01:35

Wang Qiang came into the 2018 China Open as one of the hottest players on the WTA Tour which included claiming two titles while also defending her gold medal at the Asian Games.

The Tianjin native is China's highest ranked singles player and was likely the country's best hope of winning this event in Beijing. Her fantastic form of late has made her a real threat as Latvian Jelena Ostapenko learned in embarrassing fashion as Wang won the second set 6-0 to ease into the third round.

The 25-year-old was to keep it going by upsetting the seventh-seeded Karolina Pliskova, to reach the quarter-finals in Beijing. The Chinese became the first from the host country to reach the semi-finals since Li Na in 2012, after she stunned Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-5, 7-5.

Wang Qiang (L) congratulates Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark after Wozniacki's win during their women's singles semifinal match at the China Open in Beijing. /VCG Photo

Wang said after her victory, "I was confident during the match. I defended and moved well and even came to the net. I think I did well on all aspects. I'm so happy to play great in recent weeks in front of my home fans in China."

Even if Wang lost a chance to reach the final in Beijing, after second-seeded and World No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki ousted the Chinese in straight sets, fans are still very satisfied with her performances and expected Wang to make a breakthrough next year.