Starodubtseva pulls off hot shot in Beijing to continue strong form

Two of this month's in-form players clashed in the first round of the China Open, with qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva

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Beijing: Scores | Order of Play | Draws

The Ukrainian came from 3-0 down to win the first set, then had to hold off a gritty comeback attempt from Siegemund in the second. Starodubtseva served for the match twice, only for last week's Hua Hin runner-up to break back each time. On the third point of the ensuing tiebreak, she finally took control after winning a spectacular 25-stroke exchange to go 3-0 up.

Siegemund threw everything at Starodubtseva in the rally -- high balls, sliced balls, changes of direction and finally a move up to the net. But Starodubtseva withstood it all, and eventually had the speed and control to end the point with a passing shot winner. Watch the full highlights below. 

Unranked just 16 months ago, Old Dominion University graduate Starodubtseva is now at a career high of No.115 after reaching her first tour-level quarterfinal in Monastir two weeks ago. She also owns a perfect 12-0 record in Grand Slam qualifying in 2024, making her debut in the main draw of each major (and winning a round at Wimbledon). The 24-year-old will next face No.27 seed Katerina Siniakova

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Starodubtseva wasn't the only player pulling off a spectacular pass on Day 1 in Beijing. Ana Bogdan

View Profile also found a remarkable winner during her 7-5, 6-2 loss to Sofia Kenin

View Profile earlier. Former Australian Open champion Kenin, whose ranking fell to No.168 this week, will next face No.12 seed Diana Shnaider

View Profile in a second-round clash to circle.

Other first-round winners included Taylor Townsend

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View Profile in the space of a month 6-2, 4-6, 6-3; and Chinese No.3 Wang Xinyu, who came through 6-1, 6-3 over lucky loser Mai Hontama

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Wang had originally been due to face Amanda Anisimova

View Profile ; however, the Toronto finalist was made the No.34 seed and moved to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

View Profile 's position in the top half of the draw after a lower back injury forced the No.19 seed to withdraw.

Earlier, No.8 seed Jelena Ostapenko

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