Lulu Sun made a remarkable comeback after a rocky start, defeating Shi Han 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 in the first round of the WTA 125 tournament in Jinan, China. As the sixth seed, Sun faced Shi, who received a wildcard entry and is currently ranked 318th in the world.
In the initial set, Shi delivered a surprising performance, breaking Sun’s serve twice and leading to speculation of a potential upset. However, the momentum shifted dramatically as Sun turned the tide, winning the next two sets without losing a single game. The match lasted just over an hour and a half, showcasing Sun’s resilience and determination.
Sun exhibited exceptional skill with her first serve, winning 81.6% of the points when landing her first serve. However, her second serve proved to be less effective, with a win rate of only 35.7%, indicating an area for improvement moving forward. Notably, this match marked the fourth occasion this year in which Sun has come back to claim victory after dropping the first set, highlighting her tenacity on the court.
Looking ahead, Sun is set to compete against the winner of the match between China’s Li Xiaowei and the Netherlands’ Arianne Hartono in the next round. This continued success reinforces her status as a formidable contender in the tournament and suggests a promising path as she advances in the competition.