By Erik Gudris | Thursday, February 13, 2014
China's Shuai Peng is set to be the first player, man or woman, from her country to be ranked No. 1 when she takes over the top WTA doubles ranking.
Photo Credit: AP
Shuai Peng of China will make history next Monday when she rises to No. 1 on the WTA doubles ranking list.
Peng assured her top spot when she and her partner, Su-Wei Hsieh, won their opening round at the Qatar Total Open against Irina Buryachok and Vitalia Diatchenko 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday.
Later, Peng admitted she had no idea about her accomplishment until her coach told her after the match was over.
"This was a goal for me this year. At the end of last year we were very close to (Sara) Errani and (Roberta) Vinci, and in Australia we had a big chance but we didn't make it. But I'm so happy I made it here in Doha," Peng said to WTA.com "This is a really happy experience for me."
Hsieh and Peng won five titles together in 2013 including Wimbledon and the WTA Championships. Peng recently won the Pattaya City title with Shuai Zheng.
Peng will now become the first Chinese player, man or woman, to ever achieve a top ranking in singles or doubles. Her countrywoman, Li Na, is set to rise to a career high No. 2 ranking in singles on Monday as well.