The 2005 US Open champion barely broke into a sweat as she trounced Zheng 6-3, 6-2 before a near capacity crowd on a chilly evening.

Tiny Zheng, who as the first Chinese player to break the million dollar prize money barrier is a local hero in this southern Chinese city, was no match for the big-serving Belgian as she made countless unforced errors in a match that lasted a little over an hour.

"I really felt that I had got into my rhythm early in the match," Clijsters said afterwards, admitting that she was surprised by how easily she won.

She applauded Zheng's gutsy effort, praising her tenacity on the big shots.

"She played better when I hit my best shots," said Clijsters.

Zheng, who with compatriot Yan Zi won last year's Wimbledon and Australian Open doubles championships -- China's first grand slam wins -- blamed her serve for her poor showing.

"I will have to go back and practise on my service game," she said.

Eight of the world's top women's tennis players, including world number two Maria Sharapova, are in Hong Kong for the exhibition tournament. The final will be played Saturday.