China Open: Last Chinese "Golden Flower" Fades

BEIJING, Oct. 6, 2011 -- Jie Zheng, the last Chinese "Golden Flower," was downed by 11th seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in straight sets in a 1-6, 4-6 defeat at the China Open on Wednesday.

Chinese local hot favorites — French Open champion Na Li and world No.15 Shuai Peng both suffered unexpected early exit in the first round, and the two-time Grand Slam semifinalist Zheng was the only Chinese female player to advance to the second round of the WTA premier event.

This edition of the China Open tennis tournament has marked the worst showing of local women players in singles since its inception in 2004. Zheng, Peng and Li had all made it to the semifinals here at the previous China Open tournaments.

(This is a reprint from People's Daily Online of the Oct 7, 2011 edition.)

Jie Zheng at the China Open 2011

Chinese tennis star Jie Zheng plays at the China Open. (People's Daily Online Photo/Zhenyu Li)

Jie Zheng at the China Open 2011

Chinese tennis star Jie Zheng plays at the China Open. (People's Daily Online Photo/Zhenyu Li)

Jie Zheng at the China Open 2011

Chinese tennis star Jie Zheng plays at the China Open. (People's Daily Online Photo/Zhenyu Li)

Radwanska Beats Zheng at China Open

Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland plays at the China Open tennis tournament on October 5, 2011. She beat Chinese tennis star Jie Zheng in the second round. (People's Daily Online Photo/Zhenyu Li)