Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei reaches 2nd round at Australia Open

Taipei, Feb. 8 (CNA) Taiwanese tennis veteran Hsieh Su-wei (謝淑薇) cruised into the second round of the women's singles at the Australian Open Monday, while compatriot Lu Yen-hsun (盧彥勳) was knocked out in the first round of the men's singles.

Hsieh, currently ranked world number 1 in women's doubles and No. 71 in women's singles, beat Bulgaria's Tsvetana Pironkova 7-5, 6-2 in their first encounter during the first round at the Australian Open that started in Melbourne Monday, three weeks later than scheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hsieh played a 5-5 tie against Pironkova in the first 10 games of the first set before going on to break her Bulgarian opponent's serve three times to take the set 7-5.

After her early lead, Hsieh took a 4-0 lead in the first four games and stood a good chance of winning the second set easily, but missed three breakpoint chances and eventually finished with a 6-2 victory.

Hsieh will next face the winner of a match between Canada's Bianca Andreescu, who won the women's singles title at the U.S. Open in 2019, and Romania's Mihaela Buzărnescu.

In addition, Hsieh and her partner Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic -- the top-seeded women's pair at the tournament -- will compete in the women's doubles event.

Taiwanese sisters Latisha Chan (詹詠然) and Chan Hao-ching (詹皓晴) will also play in the women's doubles.

Also Monday, Lu was overpowered by Reilly Opelka of the United States 3-6, 6-7 (2-7) and 3-6, failing to reach the next round of the men's singles event.

Lu and his partner Sam Querrey of the U.S. will take on the second-seeded Croatian duo of Mate Pavic and Nikola Mektic in the first round of the men's doubles event.