From declaring herself as the next Li Na to securing her first WTA main draw victory in Jiujiang, Zheng Wushuang has finally triumphed.

From an inexperienced girl to a beloved local star, Zheng Wushuang finally reached a career milestone at the Jiujiang Tennis Open.

In the opening round of the Jiangxi Tennis Open women’s singles, the Jiujiang native Zheng Wushuang, competing with a wildcard, won in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(5) against Ukrainian opponent Starodubtseva, earning her first victory in a WTA main draw event.

After clinching the match point, tears welled up in Zheng Wushuang’s eyes. Amid the cheers from hometown fans, she covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed with emotion. This win not only ended her streak of five consecutive losses in WTA main draw singles but also beautifully crowned her eight-year dedication to her tennis dream.

Competing in the Jiujiang Tennis Open brought this Jiangxi native back to where her dream began. Her first-round opponent was formidable with impressive tour results, so before the match, both betting odds and fan predictions were not in her favor. However, as the saying goes, “When everyone doubts you, you shine the brightest,” and it was this relentless spirit that led the Jiangxi player to create a miracle!

In the first set, Zheng Wushuang had a rough start, losing her serve early. Yet she stayed composed and quickly broke back in the fourth game to level the score at 2-2. After regaining her rhythm, she secured a crucial break in the eighth game and then held serve to close the set 6-3.

The second set was even more intense. Zheng Wushuang started strong, breaking and holding serve to lead 2-0. But Starodubtseva fought back, breaking in the eighth game to tie it at 4-4. Zheng broke again in the ninth game but missed three match points on her serve, pushing the set to a tiebreak. In the tiebreak, Zheng remained steady and sealed the victory 7-5.

The entire match lasted 2 hours and 4 minutes, during which Zheng Wushuang demonstrated the grit and courage of a hometown competitor at critical moments.

It’s worth noting that since 2016, when 18-year-old Zheng Wushuang first entered the Jiangxi Open with a wildcard, nearly ten years have passed. Besides 2016, she also competed in 2017, 2018, and 2024 but never advanced past the first round. Despite repeated setbacks, her passion and persistence for tennis never wavered, culminating in this significant career breakthrough this year!

Zheng Wushuang’s first WTA main draw victory sparked widespread discussion online, with fans eagerly sending their congratulations to this determined Jiangxi player.

One fan exclaimed, “Finally a win! Eight years of waiting, this moment is priceless. As a longtime supporter since her debut, I’m truly happy for her!”

“As someone from Jiujiang, seeing a hometown player break through on home soil makes me extremely proud!” commented another local fan. “The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd’s cheers nearly shook the roof.”

Some viewers offered a more analytical view of her game: “I hadn’t watched her play before today. She relies mostly on baseline grinding and net approaches, but her shot power is quite weak. Fortunately, she’s agile and effective at the net.”

Others looked ahead optimistically: “Zheng Wushuang lacks height and strength but has a good temperament for big matches. Hopefully, this win marks a fresh start in her career.”

With this victory, Zheng Wushuang advanced to the second round, where she will face the tournament’s 5th seed, Kazakhstan’s Putintseva, marking their first professional meeting.

Reflecting on her breakthrough in her hometown Jiujiang, she said, “Competing at home and facing players from around the world feels truly different. My hometown is gaining a more ‘international vibe.’”

From boldly declaring in 2014 that she would become the next Li Na to now securing her first WTA main draw win at home, Zheng Wushuang has demonstrated the power of perseverance over eight years.

Her tears after the match reflected the bittersweet journey of her eight-year career. She admitted, “I have waited so long for this moment. I’m grateful for the unwavering support from my hometown fans.”

Regardless of the outcome in the next round, this breakthrough victory in Jiujiang has already opened a new chapter in her professional career.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)