Proud veteran

Earlier at Court 5, there was more joy for China when top-ranked women's ace Zhang Shuai (No 36) defeated Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 7-5, 6-1. She will next face Rebecca Marino of Canada as she bids to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for the first time.

Zhang, who won last year's doubles tournament playing alongside Australia's Samantha Stosur, said she felt proud to witness the rise of a new generation of Chinese players on the world stage.

"I am extremely happy to see so many young players, not only girls but also the men, make new breakthroughs," said Zhang, a 33-year-old who made her main-draw debut at a WTA Tour-level event in 2006 in Guangzhou.

"About 15 years ago when I had just turned pro, we had a senior group of star players who passed on a lot of experience to me," Zhang said of the so-called "Golden Flowers" led by two-time major winner Li Na (2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open).

"To be part of the development of the younger generation makes me feel proud of the game's growth in our country and happy for everyone who's helped to make this happen," said Zhang.

"It's all been worth it."