Russian 19-year-old Diana Shnaider took down eighth-seeded American Claire Liu 6-1, 6-3 in the first round of the Guangzhou Open on Monday in China.
Shnaider won six straight games in the first set and came back from a 2-0 hole in the second set to win in 75 minutes. She broke Liu’s serve six times in eight chances.
Also falling on the first day of the main draw was sixth seed Linda Fruhvirtova of the Czech Republic. Denmark’s Clara Tauson eliminated Fruhvirtova 6-2, 7-6 (6).
No. 1 seed Magda Linette of Poland avoided a similar fate, rallying past Jodie Burrage of Great Britain 6-7 (3), 6-0, 6-2.
No. 5 seed Rebeka Masarova of Spain, No. 7 seed Greet Minnen of Belgium and Harriet Dart of Great Britain also won their opening matches.
–Field Level Media