China's Peng suffers first-round exit in French Open
PARIS -- A total of five breaks handed Chinese women's tennis player Peng Shuai a first-round elimination from the 2017 French Open as she lost to Sorana Cirstea of Romania 6-3, 6-1 in less than one hour here on Tuesday.
Peng, who set a personal best of round 3 in the main draw in her 10 previous appearances at Roland Garros, trailed 0-4 into the match, before finishing her first and only break in the fifth game.
However, Peng could not handle her opponent's high-quality backhand attacks and fell short at 6-3 in the first set.
Cirstea used another break to kick off the second set, and only surrendered one game for a 6-1 lop-sided victory.
Peng was outscored by her opponent in winning percentage on first and second serves, also in receiving points won.
"I was pretty nervous at the start. It forced me to lose my speed on court, and I was not satisfied with my attacks today," said Peng, who targeted at top 30 on WTA world rankings.
Eliminated from the women's singles, Peng will partner with another Chinese player Duan Yingying in the doubles event.
Hsieh Su-Wei of Chinese Taipei, Peng's former partner as two-time Grand Slam doubles champions, shocked the 7th-seeded Johanna Konta of Britain 1-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4.
"Really?" Peng responded after learning about Hsieh's surprising victory. "Maybe she has to treat me to a dinner."