China’s Wang Xiyu storms into second round at Ningbo Open with dominant win over Rakhimova

China’s Wang Xiyu celebrates after hitting a shot against Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round of the Ningbo Open in Ningbo, east China’s Zhejiang Province, October 14, 2024. /CFP

China’s Wang Xiyu delivered an impressive performance to clear her first hurdle at the Ningbo Open, securing a 6-2, 6-0 victory against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova to advance to the second round.

After early exits at both the China Open and Wuhan Open, Wang entered the WTA 500 event in east China’s Zhejiang Province as a wild card, eager to make her mark.

In their first professional meeting, Wang faced a formidable Russian opponent who sits more than 30 places higher in the world rankings. However, she demonstrated remarkable composure and dominance throughout the match.

The turning point came in the fourth game, when Wang converted her third break point, establishing a crucial advantage. Although Rakhimova managed to break Wang’s serve shortly afterward, it was a fleeting moment of resistance.

From that point, Wang took control, winning nine consecutive games. The crowd favorite wrapped up the match in straight sets, leaving no doubt about her capabilities on the court.