Zhang Shuai celebrated her first WTA Tour victory since January 2023 by winning at her home tournament, the China Open, on Wednesday. This victory ended a challenging streak of 24 consecutive defeats, marking a significant turnaround for the two-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, whose last singles win came 603 days ago. Zhang secured her place in the second round with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1) triumph over American McCartney Kessler, ranked 65th.
The 35-year-old has experienced a remarkable career, having previously reached the quarterfinals of both the Australian Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2019. Additionally, she boasts two Grand Slam doubles titles to her name. However, recent struggles with injuries have seen her ranking drop to 595, forcing her to enter the prestigious WTA 1000 event in Beijing as a wildcard.
Zhang is set to face sixth seed Emma Navarro in the second round, a match that promises to be a challenge as she looks to build on her newfound momentum. According to the WTA, in the Open Era, only one player has endured a longer losing streak than Zhang, with Madeleine Pegel having lost her first 29 WTA matches from 1968 to 1972, excluding the Billie Jean King Cup. Zhang’s recent victory not only brings joy to her but also serves as a reminder of her talent and potential to rebound in the competitive world of tennis.
ADD A COMMENT :