BEIJING, Oct. 4 -- Home favorite Peng Shuai beat Monica Niculescu of Romania 6-3, 6-2 in the second round at 2024 China Open here on Wednesday, making it to last 16 for the first time since 2024 at women's singles.

Peng Shuai failed to dominate the game at first as the two players broke each other's serve games at the beginning of each set, until Peng pulled herself together and managed to claim victory by holding serves.

"I've played against Niculescu many times before, she is always creative on the court so it took me some time to get used to it," said Peng after the match.

Awaiting Peng in the third round is Grand Slam winner, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, who overwhelmed Samantha Stosur today by 6-3 and 7-5.

Speaking of her next opponent, Peng commented, "She is a young, promising player, very aggressive. I will try to do my best and enjoy the game."