Wildcard Peng Shuai of China overpowered No.8 seed and defending champion Maria Kirilenko of Russia 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to enter the quarter-finals at the China Open yesterday.

It was an emotional win for the 20-year-old, whose season has been devastated by injury. At the post-game press conference, Peng burst into tears.

"It's been a very very tough year for me, too many setbacks and too many bad days," she said. "I could not find the feeling that helped me improve very fast last year, and now, I cannot believe I have overcome them all. Today's win means so much to me."

Once the most promising player in China, Tianjin-born Peng hit rock bottom after a loss in the final of the Tenth National Games to Zheng Jie last October. Added to that, a right knee injury "all but destroyed my confidence to compete on the tour."

"I was on the edge of quitting the sport in January. I lost my motivation because of the defeat at the National Games," she said.

"But it was the support from my fans and family that gave me the courage to fight on. And it's also a precious lesson for me to learn to appreciate the things around me."

As the first Chinese to beat top a ten player, Peng had a successful year in 2005. She soared in the rankings and beat a series of elite opponents.

Starting the season at No.50, she defeated the likes of Anastasia Myskina, Nadia Petrova, former world No.1 Belgian Kim Clijsters and Elena Dementieva in her two Tier I event semi-finals appearances, She reached a then national record ranking of 32 last August.

However, this year she suffered seven first round exits in 13 tournaments including the Australian and US Opens. She slumped to No.75 after retiring hurt at the second round of the French Open.

But Peng said the year of setbacks had given her even stronger motivation to compete for China at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

"I have a lot to gain from the disappointing year, because I felt myself growing even in the hardest days of my career," she said. "I am so eager to get back to my best shape, and I want to contribute to my country at the Asian Games in December, I want to play the Fed Cup next year and I want to win my chance at the Olympic Games."

Fuelled by 21 winners, Peng rallied from one set down to win with surprising ease. Her steady rhythm and attacking play gave Kirilenko little chance.

"Actually I was very nervous going into the game as this is the first time I've played in China since last year's National Games," said Peng. "I think I adjusted well and found my range."

Peng broke serve in the second set to level the match. And the third set saw Peng keep on punching out baseline winners. She took three games in a row before wrapping up the game in two and a half hours.

"Peng played so well," said Kirilenko. "She had a clever game with some good balls and a mixture of different tactics. She deserved the win."

Peng continued her power in the doubles. She jointed hands with Zvonareva to beat Zheng and Yan, the Australian Open and Wimbledon winners, 4-6, 6-3.

Another upset came in the evening session when Ai Sugiyama ousted fourth-seeded Nicole Vaidisova of Czech Republic 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Earlier yesterday, No 5 seed American Lindsey Davenport set up a second round meet with China's Zheng Jie after beating Anna Chakvetadze of Russia 7-6(7/4), 3-6, 7-5.

"I'm happy to have gotten through. It was a difficult game and a close one as well. My opponent played really well," said 30-year-old Davenport.

Wednesday's winners also included Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who won an easy second round match after her opponent Jelena Kostanic from Craotia retired due to injury while trailing 2-1 in the first set.

(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2006)