Ying-Ying Duan was eliminated by Caroline Wozniacki in the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open. It was her first time participating in the U.S. Open and her first ever grand slam match. Though she lost in straight sets 2-6, 5-7, Duan proved she has plenty of tennis ahead of her.
Wozniacki is the sixth seed in the tournament and she had a tough time defeating the No. 133 ranked player in Women's Singles. Duan proved that rankings and seedings are just numbers. Though the 24-year-old Chinese player lost, she put up a great fight and pushed Wozniacki to the brink. Duan fell too far behind in the first set to make a comeback. She committed 19 unforced errors compared to Wozniacki's two. However, Duan kept her head up and returned back in the second set with a vengeance.
Duan played the net very well, winning eight of nine of her net points. She committed 27 unforced errors in the second set, which ultimately prevented her from pushing this match to a third set, but Duan proved if she works on her game, she won't be lasting much time ranked 133 in the world.
Duan has a powerful backhand, but her problem is overusing her strength. As Wozniacki was trying to get her serve down, Duan take advantage. The Chinese player would line herself up and whack her returns down the lines. Duan's angles were impeccable. However, the unforced errors, due to lack of experience wound up costing her the second set and match.
There should be plenty of Duan left ahead as she will have to wait next year to participate in another tennis grand slam.
