You have to admire 35 year old Shuai Zhang’s perseverance and dedication. The Chinese veteran had lost 24 singles matches in a row.
But the former world no. 22 solved her own mental puzzle in the first round at Beijing and defeated world no. 65 McCartney Kessler 76 76.
Now ranked 585, wildcard Zhang’s last single win came in Lyon in 2023, 603 days ago.
“I think that this is the perfect timing,” Zhang said after the win. “My first win at a WTA tournament was fifteen years ago at China Open, and then the next day I beat the No.1 player Russia’s Dinara Safina in 2009).
The match was of course a tight duel. Kessler served for the first set and Zhang fought back to take the first set on her third set point.
Zhang served for the match at 54 in the second set but was broken. She kept her nerve though and ultimately prevailed in the second set tiebreaker 7-1.
Awaiting Zhang in the second round is 6 seed Emma Navarro.
Asics · Beijing · China Open · Shuai Zhang · Wilson
