China’s rising star Wang Qiang is enjoying the hottest streak of her career but admits that she has surprised herself with her swashbuckling form.
The 26-year-old is even being touted as a potential successor to double Grand Slam champion and China tennis icon Li Na who retired in 2014.
Wang demolished an injury-hindered Jelena Ostapenko, the former French Open champion, 6-0, 6-0 to surge into round three of the China Open on Tuesday.
On the back of a momentous three months, Wang is now China’s highest-ranking player at 28th in the world and chasing more WTA titles to go with the two she picked up in July and September.
“Now I’m doing well and this is kind of a surprise for all of us,” she admitted after seeing off Ostapenko in double-quick time in front of a delighted Beijing crowd.
“I believe at this stage when I’m relaxed, I can do better.
“I do not want to focus on ranking or victories, I just want to be relaxed and enjoy the matches here.”
