Published: 12:28, January 14, 2025 | Updated: 12:32, January 14, 2025
Australian Open: Comeback win sends China's Wang through to second round
By Xinhua
Wang Yafan of China plays a backhand return to Anna Bondar of Hungary during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan 14, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

MELBOURNE - China's Wang Yafan came back from a set down to win her first round match at the Australian Open.

Wang, the world No 64, beat Hungary's Anna Bondar 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 13 minutes on Tuesday afternoon to advance to the second round in singles at the Australian Open for the second straight year.

Bondar had 11 break point opportunities in the match but converted only two of them - one each in the first and third sets - while Wang capitalized on three of her six chances to break serve.

The 92nd-ranked Hungarian led 2-0 in the deciding set after getting her second break but could not consolidate the lead as Wang immediately broke back.

ALSO READ: Chinese players dealt favorable first round draw for Australian Open

In the fourth game of the deciding set, Bondar had four breakpoint chances but was denied each time, with Wang eventually leveling the match at 2-2.

Anna Bondar of Hungary plays a forehand return to Wang Yafan of China during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan 14, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

At 3-3, the Chinese player hit a forehand winner to break serve and take the lead in the decider.

Serving for the match at 5-4 and supported by a Chinese contingent in the crowd that had grown over the previous two hours, Wang brought up her first match point with a lob shot and finished the match with a forehand winner.

It was Wang's 36th winner for the match compared to Bondar's 29.

Wang reached the third round at the Australian Open in 2024 where she was beaten by Zheng Qinwen in a three-set thriller.

READ MORE: Impressive Wang storms into Australian Open 2nd round

She will play ninth seed Daria Kasatkina in the second round.