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Xu Yifan, Peng Shuai China's main hopes at Australian Open

Editor: zhangrui 丨CRI

01-25-2017 07:59 BJT

A win by Xu Yifan in the women's doubles capped off a mixed day of results for Chinese tennis players at the Australian Open on Monday.

Xu Yifan (1st R) of China and Raquel Atawo of the U.S. shake hands with Liang Chen (front L) and Yang Zhaoxuan (2nd R) of China after the women

Xu Yifan (1st R) of China and Raquel Atawo of the U.S. shake hands with Liang Chen (front L) and Yang Zhaoxuan (2nd R) of China after the women's doubles third round match at the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 23, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Bai Xue]

Xu Yifan and partner Raquel Atawo downed the all-China pair Liang Chen and Yang Zhaoxuan 6-2, 6-0.

"The match (was) not as simple as the score looks, but today we completely suppressed the opponent," Xu told reporters after her win.

"We four know each other very well, (so) Atawo and I prepared well before the (match), and our tactics (were) very successful."

The pair next play second seeds American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Czech Lucie Safarova on Tuesday.

Xu joins Peng Shuai as the other remaining Chinese player in the women's doubles.

"I will cooperate well with my teammate to do our best in the upcoming matches (and I) hope we can go further," she said.

Peng and Czech partner Andrea Hlavackova, take on Russian third seeds Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina on Tuesday.

In the mixed doubles, Zheng Saisai remains an outside chance to progress into the quarterfinals.

Zheng and partner, Austrian Alexander Peya are to face second seeds Sania Mirza and Ivan Dodig, while Xu and partner Fabrice Martin play American top seeds Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Mike Bryan.

In the juniors, China's prospects remain bright after Wu Yibing progressed into the boys third round, coming back from one set down to defeat Britain's Finn Bass 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The Australian Open boy's top seed became more aggressive in his service and return game in the later sets.

"During the rally I tried to become more offensive and go to the net, I think it's worked," the 17-year-old said.

The Hangzhou native faces Frenchman Maxence Broville in round three.

Wu Yibing is China's only remaining junior in the girls and is yet to play her round two clash with top seed Rebeka Masarova from Switzerland.

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