SPORTS> China
Peng stuns defending champion Jankovic
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-06 22:10

BEIJING - Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai battled for two hours to beat world No. 8 Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 at the ongoing China Open on Tuesday, reaching the last 16.

Defending champion Jankovic, the eighth seed, broke the first serve game of Peng to establish a 3-0 lead, but Peng, ranked 53rd, pulled the score back to 3-3. However, Jankovic accomplished another break in the tenth game to win the first set by 6-4.

Jankovic kept her good form in the second set, enjoying a 5-3 lead. However, Peng found her rhythm and broke twice, winning four consecutive games.

Peng started to control the match and Jankovic suffered from increasing unforced errors. Peng sealed her victory by 6-2 in the deciding set.

Peng poured out her thanks to her supporters after the tough match. "I will never be able to fight back in the second set but for your support," she said. "Thank you very much."

Peng will next encounter the ninth seed Sharapova.