The world number 595 Zhang Shuai continued her astonishing resurgence into the China Open quarterfinals on Tuesday. The 35-year-old Chinese tennis star beat Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-4, 6-2 to record a fourth successive straight-set win in Beijing.
Coming into this tournament on a 24-match losing streak in over 600 days, Zhang has defied expectations and her ranking with each match, took yet another leap when she downed world number 31 Frech. Once ranked inside the WTA top 25 and a two-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist, the injuries have had their way with Zhang in the last couple of years, but she looks revitalized.
In front of a boisterous home crowd on China’s national day, Zhang cruised through the second set, running off to a 5-1 lead. While Frech fought off two match points, the match was merely delayed until Zhang secured the victory. Following the triumph, Zhang struck a triumphant pose, arms crossed, beaming with pride.
Waiting in the last eight will be Spain’s number 19 Paula Badosa, but the dream was not yet over for the world number 51 Zhang. Being the lowest-ranked player to reach this far in the China Open, Zhang’s Cinderella-like run has kept the fans enchanted.
