Asian Games 2023: Wang Xiyu wins Guangzhou Open on tennis’ return to China – next stop Hangzhou
- First WTA tournament in the country after Covid-19 and Peng Shuai saga – and it produces a home winner
- ‘It’s a very emotional moment,’ says Wang, who sobs with joy after clinching victory
China’s Wang Xiyu got ready for the Asian Games in style as she marked the return of elite women’s tennis to her country by capturing her maiden WTA Tour title.
The world No 88 powered past Magda Linette 6-0, 6-2 on Saturday in the final of the Guangzhou Open, the first high-level women’s tournament in China since 2019.
Wang has entered the women’s doubles and mixed doubles at the Asian Games, which China is hosting in Hangzhou.
The 22-year-old’s victory was the fourth time that a Chinese player had been crowned champion in Guangzhou, following Wang Qiang (2018), Zhang Shuai (2013, 2017) and Li Na (2004).
“It was very exciting and it’s a very emotional moment because in this tournament, every player is really tough,” said Wang, who sobbed with joy after clinching victory. “It’s so difficult to be here on the last day. I’m happy to be here.
“I wanted a title from the first day, even when I started tennis. It was really a dream for me. I think there’s going to be bigger tournaments, tougher matches waiting for me and I’m just trying my best like I did this week.”
Wang is the third Chinese champion this season after Zhu Lin (Hua Hin) and Zheng Qinwen (Palermo) – the first time since 2006 that the country has enjoyed similar success in singles.
China had last hosted a WTA tournament in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the global sports schedule.
The WTA later suspended its tournaments there after former doubles world No 1 Peng Shuai said in a now deleted 2021 social media post that a former Chinese government official had sexually assaulted her.
Peng then briefly disappeared from public view and later denied making the accusation, sparking an international outcry over her safety. The WTA was widely praised for suspending tournaments in China but reversed its decision in April.
There was also a Chinese winner of the doubles in Guangzhou, as Jiang Xinyu and Guo Hanyu beat Makoto Ninomiya and Eri Hozumi of Japan 6-3, 7-6.
