Wang's working overtime to get back in winning groove

China's Wang Yafan returns to American Sloane Stephens during their second-round match at the Wuhan Open on Tuesday. Wang fought bravely before eventually losing 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 to the 2017 US Open champion. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wang Yafan hopes the fighting spirit she summoned at this week's Wuhan Open can kickstart a late-season surge for the Chinese ace.

Victories have been scarce for the world No 48 since she won her first WTA title at Mexico's Acapulco Open in March, but Wang is feeling more positive about her game after advancing past Lauren Davis on Monday and then giving 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens a scare in a three-set loss on Tuesday.

It was the first time Wang had reached the second round at the prestigious WTA Premier 5 tournament, giving the Nanjing native confidence that she can close out the year strongly.

"I struggled to get more victories after my first title, which influenced my mindset. My confidence took a hit and I wasn't as decisive on court," said Wang, who lost 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 to Stephens.

"I still need to improve many aspects. Mentally speaking, I need to be more stable during competitions. I also need to improve my attacking skills and be more aggressive.

"Nowadays, there are chances for virtually every player on the WTA Tour to win. Maybe a player who does not even rank in the top 100 can win a title if she performs well. For players like me, the current situation means chances. But for the very top players, this means bigger pressure."

The 25-year-old's hunger for titles has resulted in a hectic, globe-trotting schedule as she steps up her bid to break into the world's top 20.

Wang began her Asian swing with the Jiangxi Open in Nanchang two weeks ago, then headed to Seoul for the Korea Open before dashing to Hubei province for Monday's match.

"I was not in perfect condition because I'm trying to juggle a tight schedule," said Wang, who also plays doubles. "I just came back to China and some minor injuries are bothering me."

Despite falling at the first hurdle at last month's US Open, there were signs at Flushing Meadows that Wang was getting back to her old self.

She posed 2018 Australian Open champ Caroline Wozniacki plenty of problems in that first-round match before eventually succumbing 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

"Since the US Open, I've been getting my confidence back," said Wang. "I did not have any pressure fighting against Wozniacki. So I just tried my best. She was more stable and decisive at certain key points, but I thought I did well in that match."

Meanwhile, Wozniacki's Asian swing got off to a bad start in Wuhan on Monday when she crashed out 6-7 (2), 6-1, 6-2 to Hsieh Su-wei of Chinese Taipei.

The Danish world No 18 is hoping to bounce back when she defends her China Open crown in Beijing next week.

"I really enjoy playing in China, especially in Beijing. I won last year's tournament, which was a great memory," Wozniacki told China Daily.

"You always want to win. You always go into a tournament hoping to go all the way. It was a tough tournament to win. I'll try my best to do it again."

Wozniacki is impressed by tennis' accelerating development in China, singling out the country's world No 16 Wang Qiang for special praise and remarking: "All of the Chinese players are now really good with great technique."

Meanwhile, world No 4 Simona Halep looked to be recovered from the ankle injury that ruled her out of last week's Zhengzhou Open by romping to a 6-3, 6-2 second-round victory over Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Halep, who received a first-round bye in Wuhan, said of her win: "I was motivated to go on court and give everything I have, to play well, to fight for the victory. It's a good start. I'm looking forward to the next one." The Romanian will next face Russian wild card Elena Rybakina.