Heather Watson passed a stern examination from Kai-Lin Zhang, the world 191, but eventually prevailed 3-6,6-1, 6-2.
Zhang had taken the first set, as Watson struggled to find her range in the first set, broken twice, in the first set. The recovery of one break was not enough to dissuade Zhang, who was looking to cause the first major upset of the day.
It seemed like the game was up as Watson emphasised the gulf in ranking in the second set. The Briton broke three times, and looked far more solid on serve, not allowing Zhang a single break point. Watson proved dominant on Zhang’s first serve, winning an impressive twelve points of a possible eighteen.
Zhang would not give up however, and a massive tussle in the first game of the third set saw Watson hold from fifteen-forty, also denying Zhang a third break point at deuce-advantage. Zhang held comfortably in her first game, before Watson was forced to endure another tough hold to thirty. With the stakes in this set far higher, Watson’s erratic play returned, giving Zhang chances. Watson herself then forced break point at deuce-advantage, but failed to return the service. A second break point fell by the wayside, as Watson pushed a backhand past the baseline. Watson created another break point by passing her opponent at the net. This time she was able to break, a return of serve that landed on the baseline forcing Zhang into an error.
Zhang though, remained competitive and forced a break point in the following game when Watson sliced into the net. Watson saved with an ace. A second unreturned serve dealt with another, but the pressure continued as she missed with another backhand. Zhang mirrored Watson, a weak backhand falling in the net. Watson showed great tenacity to recover the deuce point, but the game was far from over. Another ace was required to save another break point. Watson finally held her service with an ace to lead four-one. Both players made comparatively light work of their next service games, holding to fifteen and thirty respectively.
Zhang’s game at two-five was not easy though, Watson winners and a double fault brought up match point. Watson then secured the match with the second break of the set to progress to the second round. Watson will play Ya-Hsuan Lee in round two.
There were no shocks in early action in Hong Kong, as seeded players Jelena Jankovic, Sam Stosur, and Caroline Garcia all progressed. Jankovic beat qualifier Ana Bogdan 6-4, 6-2, Stosur defeated Risa Ozaki 6-3, 6-1, and Garcia beat Lauren Davis 6-1, 6-3.
