Jang Su-jeong out of Korea Open; Han Na-lae advances

Jang Su-jeong returns the ball against China's Zhu Lin during a women's singles round of 32 match at the WTA Korea Open tennis championships in southern Seoul on Monday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Han Na-lae beat countrywoman Back Da-yeon in the first round of the Hana Bank Korea Open on Monday while top-ranked Korean Jang Su-jeong's run was cut short after being beaten by fourth seed Zhu Lin of China in two straight sets at the Olympic Park Tennis Center in Songpa District, southern Seoul.

It only took 56 minutes for Han to beat Back in two straight sets 6-1, 6-1.

The Olympic Park Tennis Center is where Han made her WTA Tour main-draw singles debut during the 2014 Korea Open. Both her WTA title and WTA Challenger title come from this event, having won the 2018 Korea Open doubles and 2021 Korea Open doubles alongside Choi Ji-hee.

This year, Han will be pairing up with Jang to see if she can defend her doubles title at the Korea Open.

"I adjust to the style of my partner," said Han on Monday in a post-match conference.

"Choi has good volleys whereas Jang's edge is in her serves. I usually can win the point if I follow up Jang's serve with a volley."

Jang is currently ranked at No. 132 in the world. Despite entering the Korea Open after winning her first ever WTA 125 title at the Nordea Open this July, she was beaten in two straight sets 6-3, 6-4 against the Chinese No. 4 seed on Monday.

"Jang is a very tough player," said Lin on Monday.

"She never gives up, every time we faced each other it was a tough match and I have to be very consistent."

Han and Jang will face Liang En-shuo of Taiwan and Han Xinyun of China in the first round of the women's doubles tournament on Tuesday.

"I've tuned up with Jang in the States before coming to Korea," said Han.

"We know our next opponents well and I think we can win if we stick to our plan."

The WTA event runs from Sept. 19 to 25.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]