WUHAN, October 7, 2024 (Press Release)
The final WTA 1000 of the season opened with a 76(7) 62 win for ninth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia over former US Open finalist Madison Keys before another former US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada battled past 12th seed Diana Shnaider 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the DONGFENG VOYAH · WUHAN OPEN.
“Today’s match was extremely tough. Diana, she’s an incredible player, an incredible fighter,” said Fernandez. “So for me I’m just happy with the way I tried to reset and refocus as much as possible. It wasn’t the greatest tennis match, a lot of ups and downs from my part, but I’m happy that I took it point by point and stayed positive.”
Donna Vekic, whose season highlights include an Olympic silver medal in Paris and a run to the semi-finals of Wimbledon, dug deep to beat experienced Belgian Elise Mertens 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 on the center court.
Main Draw Highlights pic.twitter.com/FjcZk0Bcq7
— DONGFENG VOYAH • WUHAN OPEN (@wuhanopentennis) October 7, 2024
Wuhan’s famous roof was used on Monday due some rainy weather earlier in the day but while play continued on center court the rain did cause some delays on outside courts. Anastasia Potapova came through a long, rain-delayed match against wildcard Katie Volynets with a 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 win, in a match which began at 11am and eventually finished after the sun had set. Potapova’s win sets up a fascinating second round encounter with second seed Jessica Pegula.
Tuesday sees a packed day in Wuhan, with 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin opening against Ekaterina Alexandrova before talented American Amanda Anisimova takes on qualifier Cristina Bucsa. Home favourite Shuai Zhang will have the Wuhan crowd behind her against Yulia Putintseva before a night session featuring Xiyu Wang against 16th seed Mirra Andreeva.
If Andreeva wins, she could play her elder sister Erika in the second round after Erika Andreeva, who came into the draw as a lucky loser from qualifying, knocked out Dayana Yastremska in round one.
13th seed Marta Kostyuk rounds off the evening on center court when she plays Elina Avanesyan of Armenia.
Click here for Draws, Results and Order of Play
