Chinese doubles pair Yan Zi and Peng Shuai won a rough victory in the first round of the women's doubles at the US Open tennis tournament in New York on Thursday.

China's portal website Sina reported that the 10th seeds advanced to the second round after beating a Romanian and American pair 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Now they may have a chance to meet the American veteran Martina Hingis with her partner Daniela Hantuchova if the two can get through.

Yan Zi is most commonly known for her doubles exploits, which have seen her capture two Grand Slam titles with her former partner Zheng Jie. The Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles champions had already won titles in Charleston and Strasbourg this year, before a left ankle injury to Zheng forced the break-up of the pairing.

(CRI August 30, 2007)