Zhang overcomes Putintseva in Toronto, sets up Ostapenko clash
Shuai Zhang defeated Yulia Putintseva in the first round in Toronto and will now face Ostapenko.
The first opponent for Latvia's Ostapenko at the WTA tournament in Toronto has been confirmed. China's second-ranked player Shuai Zhang, currently 57th in the world, defeated Kazakhstan's No. 2 Yulia Putintseva, ranked 81st, 6:4, 6:1 in the opening round. Putintseva, 31, was once ranked as high as No. 20 in the world and entered the match as the bookmakers' favorite at 1.45 odds.
Despite that favorite status, Zhang controlled the contest and came out on top in nearly every statistical category. The Chinese player won more points on first serve (62% to 52%) and on second serve (48% to 40%). Overall, she collected 62 points to 50, and converted six of ten break chances, while Putintseva converted only two of six. Zhang finished with no aces and three double faults; Putintseva had one ace and two double faults.
Zhang, 37, is a seasoned campaigner who once climbed to No. 22 in the WTA rankings. She and Ostapenko teamed up in doubles this season, reaching the final at the WTA 500 event in Stuttgart in April. Ostapenko, meanwhile, has won both of her previous singles meetings against Zhang, leading the head-to-head 2-0.
