Zhang Shuai has survived a comeback from Petra Kvitove to secure a place in the second round of the Italian Open, beating her opponent 7-6 5-7 6-3 this evening.
Fifth seed Kvitova broke Zhang's serve twice early on and raced out to a 4-0 lead but that would not be enough for the first set.
Zhang reeled off four straight games herself to level the match and then had a set point at 5-4 that Kvitova saved.
A tie-break would be needed and although Kvitova had two set points at 6-4, Zhang won four points in a row to steal the opener.
Zhang appeared to be in control of the second set, but the former Wimbledon champion dug deep to level the set, before breaking the Chinese to level the match.
It the decider, the two players split the opening six games, but Zhang rediscovered her rhythm to win the final three games in a row and wrap up the match.
Zhang will next face either Camila Giorgi or Christina McHale in the last 16.
Pascal Lemesre
