It has been a long time passing but China's tennis finally came of age on Tuesday.
Peng Shuai's clear-cut victory over third seed Uzbek Akgul Amanmuradova in singles final, coupled with triumph of women's team, gave the world's most populous nation two golds at the Guangzhou Asian Games.
Live television coverage allowed China's millions of tennis fans watch Peng come from behind in the tight opening set to shock Amanmuradova, breaking her serve in the tenth game to level at 5-5.
Peng picked up three consecutive games on unforced errors by her rival to edge a 7-5 in less than one hour.
The victory in the first set steadily built confidence on Peng, who currently ranked world 71st. She rolled on with fierce attack on Amanmuradova's serve twice in the second set and wrapped up 6-2 in no more than 30 minutes.
Peng's leg cramps on the previous day didnot affect her all court coverage and powerful baseline shots, withstanding seven aces from her rival and breaking her serve for five times.
Her triumph in one and a half hour extends China's scorching run at the ongoing Asian Games, and adds the tenth straight win to her Asiad show over past 11 days of competitions.
Prior to Tuesday's final, China swept gold in the women's team event, one silver medal in the men's doubles, and a bronze in the women's doubles.
"My opponent sent me under great pressure in the serve games," said an excited Peng. "It is the home crowds that gave me lots of encouragement and strength when I made a few mistakes and was left behind."
"It is a wonderful memory for me," Peng said of her Asiad experience which harvested with two golds. "I really enjoy getting together with my coaches, teammates and home fans who cheered for us."
Chinese tennis head coach Jiang Hongwei praised Peng's intelligence and calmness in front of strong professional rival, who was a member of the Uzbek women's team to upset China out of the team semifinal four years ago in Doha Asian Games.
"I feel glad for her, and was proud of her steady progress over the years," said Jiang.
Peng, along with grand slam semifinalists Li Na, Zheng Jie and former Australian Open doubles champion Yan Zi, became truly professional player to manage her own team and tour at the end of 2008.
The four were granted leave to "fly away" for WTA tournaments, setting an example for Chinese fellows to catch up with.
The adjustment from having everything organized for her, to having to do everything for herself, was tough for Peng at first.
After early exits at grand slams of 2008, Peng called on the full-time services of super-coach Tarik Benhabiles, who schooled Andy Roddick, to hone her game and rebuild her confidence.
Peng's ranking climbed up to her career-high No. 40 after she beat 2008 China Open champion and former world number one Jelena Jankovic, in last year's China Open.
This year, however, the Chinese crowd darling suffered from injury and withdrew from the 2010 French Open and missed the whole of the grass court season.
Her Asiad show with two golds in team and singles, and a bronze with defending champion Yan Zi in doubles, marks her return to good shape, and serves as warm-up for her grand slam tour early next year.
"The victories of the 'golden flowers' in Asian Games, especially in an absence of top players Li Na and Zheng Jie, proved China's lead in Asia's women tennis," said head coach Jiang.
Defending singles and doubles champion Zheng Jie failed to present in Guangzhou due to a wrist surgery, while world number 11 Li Na only participated in team event instead of singles and doubles.
"The achievements of 'golden flowers' also boosted confidence for China's men's players," said Jiang, adding the professionalisation is a steadfast path for China to follow.
China's men's players, though far behind their women compatriots, created their best Asiad result at the ongoing Games by breezing into doubles final and settling for a silver.
