Peng Shocks Clijsters in Quarterfinal Match

Fans at the 2005 Acura Classic have seen a new star emerge in women’s professional tennis. Remember the name Shuai Peng because you will definitely be hearing more of her in the future.

Earlier this year Peng, who hails from China, showed flashes of brilliance as she defeated the former number three player in the world, Anastasia Myskina of Russia.

Peng also had near upsets against the likes of Maria Sharapova, Lindsay Davenport and Justine Henin-Hardenne, but in each instance she fell in defeat.

On Friday night in her quarterfinal against seventh-seeded Kim Clijsters there was no mistaking who the better player was during the night as Peng scored a convincing 6-4, 6-4, win to advance to the semifinals.

“She’s probably one of the hardest hitters I’ve played,” Clijsters said. “She hits the ball incredibly clean, especially on her backhand side. She played good today, unbelievable.”

In the first set of the match, Peng matched Clijsters stroke for stroke and at 4-4, it was Peng who scored the first break of serve.

In the ninth game which lasted 12 points, Clijsters fought off three break points but on the third deuce point, Peng hit a down the line forehand, which Clijsters failed to return. On the fourth break point, Clijsters lost the game when she sent a forehand wide.

Serving for the first set at 5-4, Peng jumped out to a 40-0 lead but squandered two set points. At 40-30 she stroked a down the line backhand winner to put the set away.

Peng opened the second set with a service break as Clijsters’ forehand clipped the tape on break point.

Later in the set, Peng increased her lead to 4-1 as she broke Clijsters for the third time in the match when the Belgian double faulted on break point.

Despite losing three of the next four games as Clijsters got one service break back and held serve at love, Peng kept the pressure on her and served out the match at 5-4.

On the first match point of the evening, Clijsters slice backhand found the net.

“I gave everything I had and it wasn’t good enough,” Clijsters said. “On a short cross court, she can flick it and there aren’t too many girls that can do that. She’s a great player.”

Clijsters praised Peng during her post-match conference. “I think she has a great future ahead of her. She’s been the best player I’ve played in a long time. I think she can definitely become top three.”

• Peng advances to Saturday’s semifinals where she will meet sixth-seeded Mary Pierce.
• Peng now leads Clijsters 1-0 in career head-to-head meetings.
• Peng is making her Acura Classic debut this year.
• Peng is ranked 46 in the world.
• Peng is now 18-10 in 2005.
• Clijsters is ranked tenth in the world.
• Clijsters was making her fifth Acura Classic appearance.
• Clijsters’ 2005 match record is now 41-5.
  

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