Heading into the China Open, Zhang Shuai had lost 24 matches in a row, and the last time she claimed three straight Tour wins was in January 2023.
The 595th-ranked Chinese player has returned to winning ways in Beijing where she has sealed a place in the fourth round on Sunday. Zhang’s latest win was over Belgium’s Greet Minnen, who she defeated 6-2, 6-3. Earlier in the tournament she also scored wins over McCartney Kessler and US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro.
It is a fairytale run for Zhang whose losing streak was the second-longest on the Open Era and lasted more than 600 days.
“I played great tennis today. I had a long, long, long time not having this feeling.” She said during her press conference.
“When I play my best, I can win a lot of matches.
“I just want to keep it simple and keep going, keep winning.”
Zhang, who is a former top 25 player and two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, says her success at the tournament makes her feel like Nadal at the French Open. The Spaniard has claimed the Roland Garros trophy a record 14 times. She has reached the quarter-final stage on two previous occasions in 2016 and 2018.
“When I’m on this court, like Rafa on Philippe Chatrier, I feel so good,” she explained.
“I don’t know why but every time I play China Open, I play so good, so well. Maybe because this court and my tennis is working, like Rafa at the French Open.”
The 35-year-old is only the third player to have reached the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event whilst ranked outside the top 500. Following in the footsteps of Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber. She is also the lowest-ranked player in history to reach the fourth round of the China Open.
“I feel like I am representing my generation (of Chinese players) when I’m on court. They say I am the pride of my generation, even though I wasn’t doing as well as I expected.” said Zhang.
“I couldn’t compete against those previous top players or the young players in this generation. I don’t want to give up.
“Every person has her dream, and dreams can be very different. You can fight for it, fight for your own dreams. I also have my own dreams. I am fighting for it. “
Zhang will play 23rd seed Magdalena Frech next.
