Tennis star Peng wins mixed doubles gold, eyeing more glory

Tennis ace Peng Shuai partnered Li Zhe to claim the mixed doubles title Sunday for the second tennis gold for her hometown Tianjin.

Peng/Li, the top seeds in the event, dropped the first set against Beijing's Yu Xinyuan and Liu Wanting 7-5, but stayed cool to win the next two sets at 6-4 and 6-2.

It is the second title for the 23-year-old Peng and her team of Tianjin at the national meet after she inspired the team to the women's team gold medal prior to the official opening of the Games.

"I have to highly concentrate on the match," Peng said. "When we lagged behind, I was very desperate."

"Peng Shuai encouraged me all the time during the match," said Li.

"We encourage each other," Peng added.

"For me, the competition is a kind of torture, and also a good memory," Peng said.

"These days we always say 'come on' and 'hold on!' "Peng told the press.

"I face huge pressure to participate in the National Games. On the night before the team competition, I even vomited after the dinner.

"I won't deny I'm tired but I will hold on," said Peng, who played two matches everyday," she added.

Peng's gold haul is expected to continue as she teamed up Xu Yifan to edge past Lu Jingjing and Sun Shengnan of the People's Liberation Army 2-0 for the women's doubles final. Peng also stayed in contention for the women's singles.

Peng/Xu will be facing Grand Slam winners Zheng Jie and Yan Zi from Sichuan, who beat Liu Wanting and Zhao Yijing from Beijing 2-0,in the women's doubles final on Monday.

In the mixed doubles bronze medal match, Lu Hao/Lu Jingjing from PLA downed Shanghai's Bai Yan/Zhou Yimiao.

Source: Xinhua