China's Zheng Qinwen hits a return against Jaqueline Cristian of Romania during the match at the Wuhan Open on October 9, 2024 in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province. Photo: Courtesy of Wuhan Open

China's top tennis player Zheng Qinwen opened up her Wuhan Open campaign with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday night. 

The fifth seed Zheng, who is competing in the Wuhan Open as a main draw player for the first time and enjoyed a bye in the first round, will take on Leylah Fernandez of Canada.

Zheng has now moved up to 3,580 points in the WTA Race rankings, narrowly ahead of Emma Navarro of the US, making it possible for a WTA Finals debut in November.

Meanwhile, Wang Xinyu also reached the last 16 after coming from behind to edge past Lucia Bronzetti of Italy 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday. Wang will next face the second seed Jessica Pegula of the US.

A total of eight Chinese female players participated in the singles and doubles of the tournament, which is being held in Central China's Hubei Province until Sunday. 

It is the final WTA 1000 tournament of the season, with the event adding even more excitement to the vibrant tennis atmosphere across the city.

After failing to reach the final in the China Open in Beijing last week, world No.7 Zheng aims for a deep run in Wuhan to secure maximum points to qualify for the WTA Finals scheduled in November. 

The Olympic women's singles gold medalist celebrated her 22nd birthday on Tuesday at a birthday party hosted by the tournament organizers. 

Dubbed "Queen Wen", Zheng received heroic homecoming cheers in Wuhan where she trained as a junior player. Her image can be seen throughout the city - on street corners, bus stops, and outdoor screens. The entire city has rallied behind her, cheering on their hometown hero.

The event, which marked its return after a hiatus that started in 2019, features a star-studded lineup, including top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, winner of the China Open Coco Gauff, and Pegula. It boasts a prize pool of approximately $3.22 million, and players will vie for 1,000 ranking points. 

As the first Asian player to win gold in an Olympic tennis singles event, Zheng's stellar performances in 2024 have greatly boosted enthusiasm for tennis in the region. 

Zhu Zhenhua, an official with the Wuhan Sports Bureau, told the Changjiang Daily that tennis has been a significant sport in the city for a long time. Youth training programs are offered at nearly all tennis facilities throughout Wuhan. Additionally, there are currently 270 junior tennis players registered with the bureau, highlighting the sport's popularity among young athletes.