Zheng Qinwen said she refuses to let history repeat itself as she hopes for a deep run at the US Open after claiming China's first Olympic tennis singles gold in Paris.
She has in the past followed big tournament wins with sub-par showings, a fate the 21-year-old would need to avoid to win her first Grand Slam title.
Zheng cleared the first hurdle as she battled back from a set down to defeat American Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in New York.
"It's the typical match I will lose, especially after huge success," Zheng said. "I know myself. Usually after huge success I will get a little bit too high.
"So this time when I get a success, I'm telling myself, I don't want to let this happen. I'm going to continue working hard, keep the stable mindset," she added.
Zheng is no stranger to stumbling soon after soaring in the biggest moments.
Last year's quarter-final appearance at the US Open was followed by a first-round exit at the China Open. And after reaching the Australian Open final this year, she suffered a sub-par performance at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.
"I had this experience already. So this time when I had success in the Olympic Games, to come to the next tournament, I say, 'Everything starts at zero. You are not Olympic champion anymore'," Zheng said.
"Just be humble and try to work, fight during every single match. Because if you don't fight, you have a big chance you lose."
Zheng will face Russian Erika Andreeva in the second round.
Anisimova, who was handed a wildcard invitation to the tournament, didn't make it easy for Zheng.
"It was really difficult," Zheng said. "She's hitting the ball very strong and the only things I feel I can do during the match is just to stay with her and find my moment."
Defending champion Coco Gauff cruised past France's Varvara Gracheva 6-2, 6-0 as the American shrugged off disappointing performances in Toronto and Cincinnati.
And Novak Djokovic, looking to become the first player to win 25 Grand Slam titles, capped the evening session under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.
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Zheng Qinwen battles back from one set down to defeat Amanda Anisimova. AP
