Chinese top tennis player Zheng Jie rallied to win the first-ever China derby in a Grand Slam event by ousting teammate Peng Shuai (0-6, 6-1, 6-2) in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.
Zheng Jie prepares for a forehand hit in the game against Peng Shuai in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday, January 18, 2009. [Photo: Osports.cn]
Chinese top tennis player Zheng Jie rallied to win the first-ever China derby in a Grand Slam event by ousting teammate Peng Shuai (0-6, 6-1, 6-2) in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday.
It's the second clash between the two players just one week after the Moorilla Hobart International tennis tournament battle, where Zheng won in straight sets.
Zheng appeared surprisingly out of her groove when the match kicked off one hour behind schedule due to rain, conceding 0-6 to Peng Shuai in the opening set.
But sophisticated Zheng bounced back quickly in the second, managing breaks before she sealed it with 6-1. The veteran successfully maintained her upper hand, winning the decider with 6-2 to wrap up the final victory.
Zheng is to play either Spaniard Martinez Sanchez or Russian player Evgeniya Rodina in the second round.
