Chinese Zhang Shuai, ranked 112th, eliminated Vania King in the finals of the Guangzhou Open on Saturday and won her maiden WTA title. This was their first time facing each other.
Zhang didn’t drop a set in the tournament, making this her fifth straight-set victory. In the first set the Chinese had a little trouble making it to a tiebreak during 65 minutes and winning 7-6(1) in the end. The second set was a breeze for Zhang and it lasted only 32 minutes which she closed with a breadstick 6-1.
Before this week Zhang’s best result was also in Guangzhou, in the semifinals in 2010. This week she showed that she prepared well after defeating Olga Puchkova of Russia in the first round 6-0 7-6(1), sixth seed Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese Taipei in the second round 6-2 6-2, qualifier Johanna Konta in the quarterfinals 7-5 6-3, Yvonne Meusburger 6-1 6-1 in the semis and finally qualifier Vania King. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
