Yuan Defeats Halep in Straight Sets in Hong Kong First Round

Breaking News: Hong Kong Tennis Open

Upset in Hong Kong

Zheng Saisai of China upset No. 2 seed Simona Halep in the first round of the Hong Kong Tennis Open today. Yuan won 6-2, 6-3 in less than an hour and a half.

Yuan, ranked 86th in the world, broke Halep's serve seven times and saved all four break points she faced. She won 76% of her first-serve points and 59% of her second-serve points.

Halep, who won the Wimbledon title in July, had only lost one set in her previous four matches. She entered the match as the heavy favorite, but Yuan played aggressively from the start and never allowed her to get into a rhythm.

The loss is a major setback for Halep, who was hoping to win her third title of the year. She will now drop out of the top 10 in the world rankings.

Yuan will face No. 7 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium in the second round.