Zhang Shuai of China hits the ball during the women's singles first-round match against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 16, 2017. Zhang won 2-0. (Xinhua/Bai Xue)
MELBOURNE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Shuai from China will take a cautious approach to her round two clash against American Alison Riske at the Australian Open after downing Aliaksandra Sasnovich in less than an hour on Monday.
The 20th seed claimed the first round in a quick fire straight sets victory 6-0, 6-3 against Belarusian qualifier Sasnovich, to set up a repeat of her round two clash with Riske at the China Open last year.
"It was a very tough game, the second round of the China Open," Zhang told reporters after her match, adding she had to play her best to claim the tiebreak for the win (6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4)).
"I hope I can perform well in the coming matches."
Last year China's highest ranked player all but gave up the sport after a series of poor results with the racquet, only to come down under and secure an emotional straight sets opening round win against the 2016 second seed Simona Halep.
