China stuns the Netherlands to win women´s title

China pulled off a memorable upset at the wheelchair tennis World Team Cup on Saturday (6 May) defeating top seed and 29-time champions the Netherlands 2-0 to win the women’s title for the first time in Alghero, Italy.

The Asians also took revenge from last year´s final, which they lost to the Europeans.

This time, Hui Min Huang and Zhenzhen Zhu won both singles against world No. 5 Aniek van Koot and world No. 3 Diede de Groot, respectively, preventing the Netherlands from taking a landmark 30th title.

In a tough and changing match, Huang defeated van Koot 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5). She was followed by Zhu´s 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 victory over de Groot.

“Yes, I am very happy and would like to thank the organisers and spectators. Everyone is very friendly,” said world No. 22 Zhu. “Before the match we reviewed other matches played by the Netherlands and we made a strategy. We carried out all the plans that we made.

“(I had) a very strong belief I could do this, we have been preparing for this match for a long time. We wanted to produce a miracle as they have won many times. I can't express my joy with words.”

China, who started the week as eighth seed, became just the third nation other than the Netherlands to win the World Team Cup women’s title after the USA won in 1994 and Australia in 1999.

Tenth seed USA earned the women’s bronze medal with a 2-0 victory over sixth seed Switzerland, the winner of the European Qualification in March.

Full story can be found on the International Tennis Federation´s website.