Sun Peng, the Chinese number one tennis player, said he felt thrilled to play at home despite a 6-4, 6-4 first opening loss to Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the Beijing Olympic tennis event.

Gonzalez needed only 67 minutes to power past the home-favored player after a break in each set. The big-hitting Gonzalez fired 10 aces to just one from Sun.

"I play my game and score some good points. He's a top 20 player in the world so I had an idea of how he would play. However, when I was on the court, everything was different," said Sun, 453rd ranked in the world.

"His ball was fast and powerful, which made me in a difficult position. And his serve and forehand also caused me a lot of trouble. But after two games of the opening set, I started to feel fine. I have to admit that it is a long way that me and the Chinese players need to catch up," added the 23-year-old Sun, who was broken in the very first game of the match.

Sun had been the only home player in the men's singles draw, but his compatriots Zeng Shaoxuan and Yu Xinyuan, who only played the men's doubles, have been awarded the singles berths after several unexpected withdrawals and injuries that marred the Aug. 10-17 event.

"It was thrilling to play at home and I played with a lot of spirit. With the audience cheering for me I wanted to play well and try my best. The fans really encouraged me and I didn't want to disappoint them. It feels bad to lose the game but playing against Gonzalez left me little chance of winning. Anyway I have tried my best."

In sharp contrast to the upsurging women's players, the Chinese men's players have never really made their mark on the world ranking, the September China Open is the only event where Chinese men players can play against the professionals, thanks to the wild cards guaranteed to the hosts.

It is due to the same reason that the Chinese men players have the chance to play at the Olympics.

"We played less matches than the world players. If we can do that every week, against the strong opponents, we'll be on the right track."

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)