She was the first woman to ever win the China Open over 30 years ago but never reached the top 10 in singles
Yayuk Basuki, an Indonesian tennis player, was the first champion of the China Open Women's Singles in 1994. Despite a successful career that included six WTA singles titles and significant doubles achievements, she never reached the top 10 in singles rankings.
Why it matters
It provides historical context for a major sporting event and highlights the career trajectory of a notable Asian athlete.
The first edition of the China Open was first held in 1993.
Michael Chang won the men's singles event, defeating Greg Rusedski 7–6, 6–7, 6–4 in the final.
A year later, the China Open Women's Singles event was established as a WTA Tier Four competition.
Who won the first-ever edition of the tournament?
Basuki, who achieved a career-high ranking of 19, became the first champion of the China Open Women's Singles event in 1994.
The former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, who hails from Yogyakarta in Indonesia, was seeded second at the event.
Basuki produced some excellent performances en route to the final in Beijing, beating Mariaan de Swardt, Maja Živec-Škulj, Misumi Miyauchi and third seed Pam Shriver.
Basuki clinched the title by defeating Japanese player Kyōko Nagatsuka, 6-4, 6-2.
The triumph occurred three years on from Basuki's first WTA Tour singles title in Pattaya, Thailand.
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