Tennis: Peng survives Auckland opener

Peng, the world number 17 won against Rezai to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 in a two-hour clash.

AUCKLAND: Second-seed Peng Shuai fought back from a set down against Aravane Rezai of France to survive a tense opening-round match in the Auckland Classic. Peng, the world number 17, dropped the first set 4-6 against Rezai before cashing in on the Frenchwoman’s ailing serve to take the next two sets 6-3, 6-4 in a two-hour clash. “I started off really nervous and it was hard for me to get into the match,” said Peng. Meanwhile, fifth-seed Julia Goerges of Germany also battled back from a set down to beat defending champion Greta Arn of Hungary 7-5, 3-6, 6-4, ensuring that all eight seeded players progressed to the second round.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2012.