Wang Xinyu shed tears on site and was defeated by the "Golden Flower" killer, moving netizens to tears; Zhu Lin was eliminated while Yuan Yue secured a winning start at the Wuhan Open.

The first round of the Wuhan Open women’s singles saw China’s Wang Xinyu face Japan’s Moeka Nishimoto, capturing the attention of countless fans. In this eagerly awaited contest, Wang took a medical timeout in the second set but eventually dropped both sets 4-6, 6-7(3), succumbing to the qualifier Nishimoto and suffering her fourth straight tour loss.

Meanwhile, another Chinese player, Yuan Yue, delivered an outstanding performance against Italian star Lucia Bronzetti, winning two tiebreaks 7-6(2), 7-6(1) to give the Chinese team a victorious opening at the Wuhan Open.

As a semifinalist at last year’s Wuhan Open, Wang Xinyu had 390 ranking points to defend, adding considerable pressure. Before the match, many believed that despite some fluctuations in form, Wang’s overall strength and home-court advantage would help her overcome the first round.

Moeka Nishimoto, who advanced from the qualifiers by defeating China’s Wang Xiyu, showed impressive form. However, comparing their world rankings, Wang, as China’s second-ranked player, clearly held the upper hand in ability.

Wang Xinyu’s draw at the Wuhan Open was challenging; even if she passed the first round, she would face American star Coco Gauff next. Yet, fans remained hopeful before the match that Wang could surpass herself and replicate last year’s semifinal success.

Looking at their head-to-head record, this was not their first meeting. They previously faced off in the 2022 ITF Tokyo final, where Wang Xinyu won 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 to claim the title. Pre-match odds also favored Wang, with her at 1.57 compared to Nishimoto’s 2.38.

Technically, Wang Xinyu plays an aggressive style, with strong serving and baseline attacks as her strengths; Nishimoto excels in defensive counterplay and displays great resilience on court.

Before the match started, the stands were already packed. Many fans waved national flags, hoping Wang would recreate her impressive run to the semifinals on home soil. One fan interviewed on-site said, “Wang’s win over Gauff in Berlin was impressive; I believe she can perform at her best today.”

Viewers in the live chat also sent encouragements: “Wang, the beauty on home turf, must stay steady!”; “The wonderful memories of last year’s semifinals are still vivid, hoping for another great result this year.”

Chinese fans in the center court created a passionate home atmosphere, eager to energize Wang Xinyu.

At the start, Wang quickly found her rhythm and held her first service game smoothly. However, as the match progressed, Nishimoto adapted to the court’s pace and broke serve first in the fourth game, taking a 3-1 lead. Wang tried to strengthen her baseline attack to break back but committed increasing unforced errors, often missing simple cross-court shots or netting the ball.

A viewer in the live chat commented, “Wang Xinyu is making too many mistakes, completely off rhythm,” and “She doesn’t seem to be feeling well physically.”

Despite efforts to adjust, Wang lost the first set 4-6. During the break, she repeatedly looked toward her team with anxious and helpless eyes.

The second set saw a dramatic shift. Wang noticeably raised her level, looking like a different player from the first set. She was more consistent on serve and applied greater pressure on Nishimoto’s service games. The two engaged in a fierce battle of breaks, with the score fluctuating. Wang seemed poised to take the lead at one point, but Nishimoto stubbornly held onto crucial points.

Midway through the set, Wang requested a medical timeout, and the on-site doctor came to treat and massage her lower back.

Live viewers commented, “No wonder her movement looked off,” and “Hope it’s nothing serious; athlete health comes first.”

After the medical break, Wang returned to the court but her mobility was clearly limited. She occasionally bent over in pain but still gave her all in every service game. During a changeover, cameras caught her eyes welling up with tears as she fought to hold them back, deeply touching many fans.

One viewer wrote on the live platform, “It’s heartbreaking to see, injuries are the biggest enemy for athletes,” and “Even injured, she never gives up — that sportsmanship is admirable.”

Every return from Wang was met with loud cheers from the crowd, creating a tense yet moving atmosphere.

Though hampered by injury, Wang refused to quit. With sheer determination, she dragged the second set into a tiebreak. At 3-3 in the breaker, she battled fiercely with her opponent. However, the back injury clearly affected her serve and movement, and she eventually lost the tiebreak 3-7, thus losing the match. At the end, the audience gave a prolonged applause to honor the valiant Chinese player.

After the match, Nishimoto also expressed respect for Wang. Having defeated two Chinese “Golden Flowers,” Wang Xiyu and Wang Xinyu, she earned the title of “Golden Flower Killer” and will face American star Coco Gauff in the next round.

Post-match, netizens flooded social media with messages of sympathy and support for Wang Xinyu.

“My heart broke seeing Wang’s eyes red; it’s so painful!” one fan wrote on social media. Another commented, “Injuries are part of the game, but Wang’s resilience today is more valuable than victory. Hope she recovers well and returns stronger.” Some analyzed the match: “Her lower back issue clearly affected her performance; otherwise, the second set wouldn’t have been so passive. Hope her team prioritizes her health and manages her schedule wisely.”

It’s worth noting that before Wang’s exit, Zhu Lin also fell in the first round. She narrowly lost 5-7, 6-7(10) to Australian rising star Jonté, despite saving multiple match points, unable to turn the tide.

In contrast, Yuan Yue brought good news for the Chinese team. She excelled in crucial points against Italian star Bronzetti, winning both tiebreaks and advancing to the second round. Yuan will next face Paolini, and if she continues to advance, she might meet the top seed in the third round.

Fans hold high hopes for Yuan Yue’s Wuhan Open prospects: “Yuan was decisive on key points today; winning two tiebreaks proves it. Facing Paolini next, she has a chance to keep progressing!”

Regarding the injured Wang Xinyu and Zhu Lin, fans’ greatest wish is for their full recovery. One fan’s comment captured the sentiment: “Ranking drops temporarily don’t matter; health is most important. ‘Tough times must be overcome,’ and we’ll always support you!”

With Wang Xinyu’s departure, the responsibility of Chinese women’s singles at the Wuhan Open now rests on Yuan Yue’s shoulders. Injuries and losses are unavoidable challenges in an athlete’s career, but true champions know how to grow stronger through adversity.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)