Shuai Peng life and biography

Shuai Peng is a Chinese professional female tennis player. She won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, defeating Akgul Amanmuradova in the final.

CAREER:

Shuai began playing at age eight when an uncle (a famous tennis coach in China and the only other family member who plays tennis) introduced her to the game. She favors hard courts and forehand (though her backhand is the better side). Her father Peng Jijun is a police officer and her mother is Zhang Bing. At age 13, Peng Shuai was submitted to a hospital for heart surgery, a situation which she explains in the "Impossible is Nothing" campaign from Adidas.

2011:

Peng Shuai kicked off her 2011 season in Auckland, New Zealand, at the 2011 ASB Classic. She was unseeded and defeated Johanna Larsson in the first round 6–1, 6–3. In the second round she caused a big upset by defeating No. 3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 2–6, 6–4, 6–4 after being a double break down 0–3 in the final set. In the quarterfinals, she defeated British qualifier Heather Watson 6–4, 7–5. Despite playing some of her best tennis in the semifinals, Peng lost to defending champion and No. 2 seed Yanina Wickmayer 3–6, 7–6(3), 7–5 in 2 hours and 53 minutes.

In the first round of the 2011 Moorilla Hobart International, Peng took out No. 3 seed Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round 2–6, 6–3, 6–2. She then defeated qualifier Olga Govortsova 2–6, 6–4, 6–0. She then defeated No. 7 seed Sara Errani in straight sets 6–1, 6–3 to move into her second semifinal of 2011. In the semifinal she lost to Bethanie Mattek-Sands 4–6, 6–1, 6–1.

At the 2011 Australian Open, Peng was unseeded and defeated Kateryna Bondarenko in the first round 2–6, 6–3, 8–6. She then toppled seventh seed Jelena Janković in the second round 7–6(3), 6–3. She then moved into the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career after a 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 win over Japan's Ayumi Morita. In the fourth round, Peng Shuai was defeated in a hard fought match against 12th seed Agnieszka Radwańska 7–5, 3–6, 7–5, despite having two match points at 5–4 in the final set. After her fourth round performance, Peng's ranking rose to No. 40, making her the second highest-ranked Chinese player after Li Na, since Zheng Jie slipped down the rankings after not being able to defend her semifinal points.

Peng's next tournament was the 2011 PTT Pattaya Open. She was seeded 6th and defeated Chan Yung-jan in the first round 7–6(8), 6–0 and in the second round she defeated Elena Baltacha 2–6, 6–1, 6–4. In the quarterfinals she was narrowly defeated by top seed Vera Zvonareva 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 despite being up 4–3 40-15 in the final set.

Peng's next stop will be the 2011 Dubai Tennis Championships. Peng entered the qualifying draw as the No.2 seed and defeated wildcard Vanessa Henke in the first round 6–1, 6–0. She then qualified for the main draw with a 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 win over No.11 seed Kateryna Bondarenko. Peng got her revenge on Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the first round, defeating her this time 6–3, 2–6, 6–3. She was then defeated 4–6, 6–2, 7–6(5) by No.7 seed Victoria Azarenka in the second round in 2 hours and 23 minutes.

Peng then qualified for the main draw of the 2011 Qatar Ladies Open. Seeded No.3, she defeated Nuria Llagostera Vives 6–1, 2–6, 6–1, Anastasia Rodionova 6–3, 6–2 and Elena Vesnina 6–3, 6–3. In the first round of the main draw she defeated Timea Bacsinszky 6–3, 6–2. In the second round she played No.3 seed Francesca Schiavone, whom she defeated 7–5, 6–3. In the quarterfinals, faced Marion Bartoli, losing in straight sets, for the first time in the season, 2–6, 2–6.

Peng then entered the 2011 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. She narrowly missed out on being seeded and defeated Renata Voráčová in the first round 7–5, 6–1. In the second round she defeated compatriot and No.7 seed Li Na for the first time in her career 4–6, 6–3, 6–3. In the third round she came back from 2–5 down in the final set to beat Czech qualifier Lucie Hradecka 6–3, 4–6, 7–5. In the fourth round she battled past 18th seed Nadia Petrova 6–4, 5–7, 6–3. 16th seed Maria Sharapova defeated her 6–2, 5–7, 6–3 in a 2 hour 22 minute quarterfinal match. Peng moved up to No.32 in the world as a result, 1 spot off her career high of 31.

Her next tournament was the 2011 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Unseeded, she defeated Greta Arn in the first round 6–1, 6–2, and followed that up with a win against 20th seed Aravane Rezaï in the second round 6–0, 6–4. She then defeated 11th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova 6–3, 6–1 in the third round, avenging her loss to the same player at this event the previous year. Peng then fell to 26th seed Alexandra Dulgheru 6–3, 6–4. Peng reached the semifinals of the doubles competition with Shahar Peer.

Peng rose to a new career high ranking of No.30 and was seeded 11th at the 2011 Family Circle Cup in Charleston. In the first round she defeated qualifier Sloane Stephens 6–2, 6–1. She then defeated Ayumi Morita 6–2, 6–1 in the second round. In the third round she outlasted 7th seed Nadia Petrova 6–3, 5–7, 6–2 to reach the quarterfinals where she defeated Indian qualifier Sania Mirza 2–6, 6–2, 6–2. Elena Vesnina defeated her in the semifinals 7–6(4), 6–3. Due to her good performance at Charleston, Peng rose to a new career high of No.29 in the world rankings.

After a short break, Peng resumed competition at the 2011 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open. She was defeated by No.3 seed Francesca Schiavone 7–5, 7–6(2). This was Peng's first first round defeat of 2011.

In the first round of the 2011 Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, Peng was defeated by American qualifier Christina McHale in just under 3 hours 6–3, 2–6, 7–6(7). However, Peng won the doubles title alongside Zheng Jie, defeating No.3 seeds Yaroslava Shvedova and Vania King 6–2, 6–3.

Peng will play her final warm-up tournament prior to Roland Garros at the 2011 Brussels Ladies Open as the No.8 seed. In the first round she'll play wildcard Kirsten Flipkens.

PERSONAL:
Currently without a coach
Began playing at age 8 when an uncle introduced her to the game
Favorite shot is forehand; favorite surface is hardcourt
Father, Peng Ji Jun, is a police officer; mother's name is Zhang Bing
Favorites include Chinese cuisine, reading, shopping, swimming, playing soccer
Considers herself quiet
Admires Steffi Graf and John McEnroe.

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