US Open: China’s Zhang Shuai into main draw at Cincinnati Open

No 2 women’s player overcomes Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic at the WTA 1000 Western and Southern Open

Faces Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan while winner of Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei and Coco Gauff meets US Open champ Naomi Osaka

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China’s Zhang Shuai returns a shot against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic at the Western and Southern Open. Photo: USA Today Sports

Published: 4:25pm, 16 Aug 2021Updated: 4:25pm, 16 Aug 2021

China’s No 2 tennis player Zhang Shuai progressed into the first round of the US Open warm-up Cincinnati Masters on Sunday night (US time) after winning her qualifier.

Zhang, ranked No 51 in the world, beat Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic at the WTA 1000 event, which is also known as the Western and Southern Open, after coming from behind.

The 32-year-old found herself 3-1 down in the opening set at the Lindner Family Tennis Centre before pushing on to victory. Zhang won five of the last six games of the first set to take it 7-5.

Bouzkova fired back with a 6-4 second set victory before the decisive set saw Zhang in fine form to win 6-0, taking the match 7-5, 4-6, 6-0.

Zhang in action at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Photo: USA Today Sports

Zhang now faces Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the first round, having beaten her compatriot Yaroslava Shvedova in the first Cincinnati qualifier.

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