15th-ranked Zheng Qinwen defeated 119th-ranked Olga Danilovic 6-4, 6-2 in the United Cup in Perth, improving her record to 2-0 in the new season. With this victory, the Group E match between China and Serbia became the decisive mixed doubles match.
Zheng, teaming up with Zhang Zhizhen, already defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 on the second day, giving China a chance to advance to the United Cup quarter-finals (1-0). Serbia will be hoping to win the first match. And remained in contention on the shoulders of Danilovic and Novak Djokovic.
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After ATP world No. 1 Zhang took the lead with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Zhang, Chung faced a must-win match against Danilovic. Zheng, who had a three-set win over current Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrusova in her opening match, maintained her composure to keep the energetic 22-year-old Serbian at bay.
Looking for his third top-20 win of his career, Danilovic jumped out to a 2-0 lead and came within one point of taking a 3-0 lead early in the first set. Chung won the next four games with the help of a series of forehand winners.
The Chinese star appeared to have regained full momentum, but Danilovic continued to apply pressure. After Zheng served for the first set at 5-4, Danilovic had two chances to tie the set. Zheng responded with unyielding determination, erasing Danilovic’s chances and surviving an 11-minute match before taking the 61-minute set with a leaping backhand winner.
Chung gained momentum in the second set, taking a 4-0 lead and clinching the victory with her eighth ace of the match 1 hour and 37 minutes later.
More to come…