MK sportsplayer Zheng Qinwen plays in women's singles gold medal match against Donna Vekic of Croatia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France on August 3, 2024. Photo: Li Hao/GT" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-08-15/05988b53-b303-428e-8cdd-8502b42a78b4.jpeg" />

Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen plays in women's singles gold medal match against Donna Vekic of Croatia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France on August 3, 2024. Photo: Li Hao/GT

China's Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen rallied from one set down to achieve a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Amanda Anisimova of the US in the women's singles first round at the US Open on Monday.

"It's a very difficult match for a first round. She's a tough opponent to face, but I'm glad at the end I found a way to be through the match and win this match," Zheng said.

"I had this experience already, so this time when I had success in the Olympic Games, to come to the next tournament, I say, everything starts at zero. You are not any more the Olympic champion. Just be humble and try to work, fight every single match, because if you don't fight, you have a big chance to lose."

Wang Yafan also advanced to the second round after her opponent Maria Sakkari exited early due to an injury after the first set. However, the other two Chinese women's singles players on Monday faced first-round exits: Wang Xiyu lost to Diane Parry of France 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), and Yuan Yue was defeated by Russia's Erika Andreeva 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).

In the men's singles, China's 19-year-old Shang Juncheng earned his first US Open win over Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, in a match that lasted three hours and 34 minutes.

"Very happy and tired. Very tired. Interesting match against Alex. He has everything, he throws anything at you, some second-serve bombs, also drop shots, underarm serves, anything," Shang said. "You really have to focus the whole match, and I'm glad I did all the way till the end. It was just a good win, and hopefully I can continue." 

Another Chinese player, Bu Yunchao­kete, lost to Norway's Casper Ruud 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2.