Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese woman to win the China Open by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in Beijing.

Zheng, who entered the tournament as a wildcard ranked number 54 in the world, saved three set points in Sunday’s opening set before overcoming fourth seed Andreeva 7-5, 6-4.

Th 24-year-old fell to the floor as she secured match point and treated the raucous home crowd to some karaoke following her victory speech.

“The feeling was incredible. To win here in Beijing in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams,” she said.

“I’ve been through a very, very tough year.”

For Zheng, who underwent elbow surgery last year, it was a first WTA 1000 title and her sixth title over all. The triumph brings an end to a two-year title drought for a player who has struggled with form and fitness in the past 12 months.

Andreeva, 19, was on top in the early stages of both sets, but was reeled back in both times.

Wales forward Elise Hughes says the prospect of reaching the World Cup would fulfil a lifelong ambition but insists the focus remains on Tuesday’s play-off second leg against Albania.

Rhian Wilkinson’s side take a slender 1-0 advantage into the return fixture in Llanelli after edging the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

A draw would be enough to send Wales through to the next stage of qualifying for next summer’s tournament in Brazil.

“When you’re a kid, it doesn’t get bigger than that,” Hughes said of playing at a World Cup.

“You dream and you’re in the garden thinking of the World Cup and you’re at your grassroots team thinking of the World Cup.

“Now this group has a chance to do it and that is the most important thing for the group here and now.

“But to do that, we’ve got to win the game on Tuesday. This is the most important game to date because it’s next.”

The Prem

Sale (14) 28

Tries: Canakaivata, Warr, Bamber, penalty try Cons: Ford 3

Harlequins (17) 24

Tries: Riley 2, Smith 2 Cons: Smith 2

Harlequins’ poor start to the Prem season continued with a third successive loss of the campaign against Sale at CorpAcq Stadium.

The Sharks came from behind to win the game with a 73rd-minute penalty try after the returning Marcus Smith had touched down twice in the opening quarter to give Quins an early lead.

After their opening-day reverse to Bristol at home, Sale have bounced back strongly with back-to-back wins over Saracens and Quins.

But, despite their first points of the season, another defeat leaves Quins rooted at the bottom of the table.

More to follow.

Sale: Carpenter; O’Flaherty, Marchant, Lozowski, Reed; Ford, Warr; N Smith, Jibulu, Opoku-Fordjour, van Rhyn (c), Bamber, Lawes, Tshiunza, Canakaivata.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, McIntyre, Francis, Dugdale, Hanson, Louw, Loganimasi

Harlequins: Furbank; Green, Northmore, Bradley, Murley (c); M Smith, Porter; Hobson, Riley, Kerrod, Dun, Treadwell, Kenningham, Driscoll, Cunningham-South.

Replacements: Walker, Johnson-Holmes, Streeter, Petti, Schmid, Friday, Beard, Isgró

Referee: Christophe Ridley.