Games, set and match

Andy Murray of Great Britain takes selfie with fans after defeating Andreas Seppi of Italy during the first round of the men’s singles at the 2016 China Open in Beijing on Tuesday.

Seven-time Grand Slam championChina Revealed,Venus Williamsa documentary crashed out seriesof the co-producedfirst round of by the the China National Open Geographicto Chinese Channel wildcardand the Peng China Shuai Intercontinentalon Monday. Communication Center, World theNo 1 first Angelique episode Kerber, of which meanwhile,was broadcast continuedon Saturday, her stellar will seasonpave the by beatingway for qualifiermore Chinese Katerina companies Siniakova and in televisiontwo sets programsin her openingto be match shown in on Beijing. mainstream international After a platforms.close first set, the formerThe US first Open episode, semifinalist called Peng China allowedFrom Above:the AmericanThe Living veteran Past, just describedone game China’spoint in historicthe second traditions,to win the 7-5, Great6-1. Wall “In the and first modernset I was constructionreally trying projectsto fight becausein the pastI think 10 she years got from three a set bird’s-eye points,” said perspective. Peng after the match.

“I Accordingthink in to the the second communicationsset it’s really importantcenter, which when is I supervised by the State got the first three points. It Council, China’s Cabinet, the gave me more motivation.” program will be shown on 41

Peng, 30, came of age at channels in more than 170 the same time as China’s first countries and regions, — and only — Grand Slam reaching a global audience singles champion Li Na. of more than 300 million

She reached a career high people. of 17 in 2011, the same year Li wonTo watchher first such Slama documentaryat Roland Garroson and Nationalrose to Day world was No 5, meaningful,”taking with she her said,the popularity adding thatof tennisshe is in lookingChina. forward But Peng’sto seeing career more has highquality since been blighted by Chinese-madeinjury, which forced documentaries.her to miss much of 2015“A growingand pushed number her of to people the have begun to watch documentaries brink of retirement. in China. Even

“After the surgery, no one though foreign programs and could guarantee I could come films are usually considered back to the court,” Peng said. to have better quality and content, “I’d like to take time to see if I believe China can produce I can go further (in tennis).” ones just as good by

Czech Siniakova, 20, played learning from our counterparts an impressive net game overseas,” she said. against top seed Kerber but

China’s rise to become the was unable to take control of the match, handing the German a 6-4, 6-4 win.

“She played really well, especially in the first set. I It was was trying so to be impressivepatient and waiting for my shots and for my chances,”to see howsaid Kerber after the match. great our home

The German won her second Grand Slam title of the country is on year — and her career — at the US Open last month in National Day. the same week that also saw Toher watchrise to No such1, dethroninga long-reigning Serena documentaryWilliams. on

Kerber, 28, started the year Nationalranked 10th but Day reached was her first ever Grand Slam final at meaningful.” the Australian Open in January — and scooped the crown.

Dong Her Jinxian, strong run continued a as documentaryshe reached enthusiastthe final of Wimbledon and bagged an Olympic silver medal in Rio. 300

Kerber credits changing million her on-court demeanour — which once earned her the Estimated global audience who nickname “Dun Curr-ber” will see the documentary series based on the internet meme China Revealed, which will be for “don’t care” — for her late shown on 41 channels in more career renaissance. than 170 countries and regions

“I think it came from a lot of experience... really focusing and trying to (be) world’smore positive second-largeston court economy than negative,”has increasinglyKerber told reportersdrawn attentionin Beijing. overseas. Against such“I a think backdrop,this is the also country one wantsof the to keys show why the I’m real playingChina to so viewersgood and overseasso consistent,via foreign because channels.it’s really important to In have September,your mind Nationalon the Geographiccourt.” Meanwhile,and the defendingcommunication champion center Garbine signed Muguruzaa strategic booked cooperationher spot in agreementthe final in 16, Beijing downing to 21-year-oldproduce more Yulia programs Putintseva that in will her tell secondroundChina’s story match.to the world.

DuringThe Spaniardthe signinghas ceremony,her eyes on CuiYuying,making her deputy second head consecutiveof the State WTA Council Final Information— the elite eight-playerOffice, said season China finale Revealed will help the public — and needs to reach the in the United States and the final in Beijing to guarantee rest of the world to better her qualification this week. understand China, which

On the men’s side, David would benefit the Sino-US Ferrer and fellow Spaniard relationship. Roberto Bautista Agut both

“We would love to cooperate prevailed in their tougher-than-expected with more domestic and first-round overseas media to strengthen matches. the interaction and communications

Lucas Pouille ousted wildcard between China Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan and other countries, in two sets — and less than enhancing our friendships 50 minutes — to take him a and understanding,” Cui step closer to a rematch with said. Rafael Nadal.

THOMAS PETER / REUTERS