Venus Williams the victim of a shock defeat in Tainjin as Rebecca Peterson claims big win

WTA Tour
Venus Williams struggling in China

Rebecca Peterson enjoyed a career-highlight day in China as she shocked Venus Williams in the first round of the Tianjin Open.

The 24-year-old Swede got the better of a match featuring 14 breaks of serve to win 6-3 4-6 6-3 in just over two hours.

“When I saw the draw, I was happy,” Peterson said. “I saw it as a great opportunity and a great experience. It’s such a privilege to play such a champion. I was just trying to enjoy it as much as I could.

“I tried to stick in there and go point by point, and not think any further than the next point.”

Fourth seed Caroline Garcia also had to fight for victory, coming from behind to triumph 2-6 6-2 6-2 over Anastasia Potapova of Russia.

And sixth seed Yulia Putintseva survived a second-set scare as she overcame Astra Sharma of Australia 6-1 1-6 7-5.

Wild card Sam Stosur beat home favourite Zhaoxuan Yang 7-5 2-6 6-2 but the Chinese fans were cheered by Yafan Wang who beat Lauren Davis of the United States 6-0 6-4.

Britain’s Heather Watson booked her place in round two with a 6-4 7-6 (3) win over Kateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine.

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