(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-15 16:13

MELBOURNE - Chinese Peng Shuai was stopped in the first round at the Australian Open here on Tuesday, losing 7-5, 4-6, 9-7 to Russian teenager Alisa Kleybanova.

China's Peng Shuai returns a shot to Russia's Alisa Kleybanova during their first round game at the Australian Open in Melbourne January 15, 2008. Peng lost 7-5, 4-6, 9-7. [Xinhua]

Peng, ranking 45th in the world, lost the three-hour-and-a-half seesaw match against the 18-year-old. It was the second time that Peng fell to world No. 154 Kleybanova.

"The Russian girl is a tough opponent, who is quite steady throughout the match," said Jiang Hongwei, head coach of the Chinese tennis team, which also includes Sydney doubles champions Zheng Jie and Yan Zi as well as Gold Coast titlist Li Na, 24th seed here.

Peng's Australian Open was not finished as the 22-year-old will be paired up with Sun Tiantian, winner of the Athens Olympics doubles title, to face the team consisting of fellow country woman Li and Russian singles sixth seed Anna Chakvetadze in the doubles opening round.

Arguably the most talented tennis player in China, Peng experienced injuries and falling out with the national team in 2006 which saw her world ranking slip to 53.

After patching things up with the national team, Peng was teamed up with Sun in their run for the Beijing Olympic Games.