Zheng Saisai of China returns the ball during the women's singles first round between Zheng Saisai of China and Monica Puig of Puerto Rico at 2019 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)
World No.36 Zheng Saisai has gained the only wild card for women's singles of Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai tournament.
ZHUHAI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The organizing committee of Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai announced here on Thursday that World No.36 Zheng Saisai has gained the only wild card for women's singles. This is the second time Zheng has participated in the tournament since 2015.
Zheng Saisai/Duan Yingying (L) of China celebrate during the women's doubles third round match between Zheng Saisai/Duan Yingying of China and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia/Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia at the 2019 US Open in New York, the United States, Sept. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
Zheng has had a breakthrough season including finishing as runner-up in the women's doubles with partner Duan Yingying at this year's Tianjin Open.
At this year's San Jose Open, Zheng captured her first WTA title by defeating world number 10 and No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in straight sets in the final. With this victory, the 25-year-old player not only returned to world No. 38 but also became the second Chinese player to win the championship after Li Na. At this year's China Open, she stunned American 13th seed Sloane Stephens in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1 in the round of 32.
"I think all the players of the new generation are making unremitting efforts to catch up with those top players, but we still need time," said Zheng.
According to the organizer, the complete name list of women's singles players will be released in a few days. The prize pot of this year's match has jumped to 2.42 million U.S. dollars and the champion will get 700 WTA ranking points. ■
