Tuesday 4 October 2016 12:03, UK
Top seed Angelique Kerber made it through to the second round of the China Open, beating Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic in straight sets.
The new world No 1 recovered from a break down in the opening set to post a 6-4 6-4 victory over the 20-year-old qualifier.
Kerber, who reached three Grand Slam finals during 2016, recording victories in Melbourne and New York, was just too strong for the world No 51.
Another winner on Monday was the No 2 seed Garbine Muguruza, who experienced contrasting sets in reaching the third round in Beijing.
Spain's French Open winner overcame Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-2 7-6 (7-5) in one hour, 53 minutes.
She won six of the opening eight games before the world No 33 battled back into the contest during a second set which yielded eight breaks of serve.
Muguruza failed to convert two match points in game 12 before holding her nerve in the tie-break.
The world No 4, who turns 23 later this week, will secure a spot at this year's season-ending WTA Tour Finals if she reaches the final in China.
The No 5 seed Karolina Pliskova, who lost in last month's final of the US Open, won an all-Czech battle with Lucie Safarova 6-7 (9-7) 6-1 6-4.
But there was disappointment for veteran American Venus Williams. The No 6 seed was beaten by home favourite Peng Shuai 7-5 6-1.
Peng, who came close to retiring from the sport last year because of injury, fought back from 3-5 down in the opening set to win 10 of the last 11 games.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, failed to capitalise on three set points during the opener. She had one in game nine and two more when serving in game 10.
