Zhang Shuai of China has had an incredible turnaround, defeating a Top 10 player in just two days to end a 24-match losing skid at the China Open 2024.
On the international tennis scene, the former World No. 22, who fell to No. 595 recently, is making waves and demonstrating her tenacity.
Zhang Shuai of China was in an unprecedented slump heading into the China Open; she had lost her last 24 matches in a row, a record that started in January of last year and dropped her ranking from No. 23 at the start of the tournament to No. 595 this week.
In the Open Era, it was the second-longest losing run for a female.
However, Zhang’s protracted international nightmare ended two days ago on Wednesday when she defeated American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1) in the WTA 1000 event’s opening round.
She continued where she left off in January, winning today for the second time in a row—and against a player ranked in the Top 10 as well, defeating Emma Navarro, ranked No. 8, 6-4, 6-2.
It was Navarro’s first match after her run to the US Open semifinals, which saw her break into the Top 10.
Even more remarkable is the fact that Zhang’s triumph over Navarro occurred nearly exactly 15 years after her first career Top 10 triumph—a 2009 China Open round in which she upset world No. 1 Dinara Safina. Zhang’s triumph was truly historic because, since 1975, she had been rated 226th, the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat a woman ranked first in the WTA rankings.
With eight wins on hard courts, six in Asia, and four in China—all of which came in Beijing—Zhang now has nine career Top 10 victories.
Furthermore, Zhang has now defeated Navarro in three of her last four meetings against players ranked in the top ten.
During her losing run, she faced no players ranked in the top 10.
ZHANG VS TOP 10 PLAYERS SINCE AUGUST 2022:
d. No. 2 Kontaveit in 2022 Cincinnati 3rd Rd, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
l. to No. 7 Sabalenka in 2022 Cincinnati QFs, 6-4, 7-6 (1)
d. No. 10 Garcia in 2022 Tokyo 2nd Rd, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5)
d. No. 8 Navarro in 2024 Beijing 2nd Rd, 6-4, 6-2
For the first time since she won three straight sets to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open in 2023, she has now won back-to-back matches. When the updated rankings are released, it is anticipated that the previous No. 22 will move up from her current position of No. 595 back into the Top 450.
Zhang will face Greet Minnen in the third round in Beijing. Minnen defeated Anastasia Potapova 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 earlier in the day.
It will be Zhang and Minnen’s first time playing each other.