We use essential cookies and third-party cookies for content.

The National Times - At last! China's Zhang Shuai ends 24-match losing streak

At last! China's Zhang Shuai ends 24-match losing streak

SPORTS 25.09.2024
At last! China's Zhang Shuai ends 24-match losing streak
At last! China's Zhang Shuai ends 24-match losing streak / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Zhang Shuai won her first WTA Tour match since January 2023 when she triumphed at her home China Open on Wednesday to snap a painful run of 24 defeats.

Change text size:

The two-time Grand Slam quarter-finalist's previous singles victory came 603 days ago.

The 35-year-old tasted the winning feeling again with a hard-fought 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/1) win over the 65th-ranked American McCartney Kessler.

Zhang, a former top-25 player, made the last eight of the Australian Open in 2016 and Wimbledon three years later. She has also won two Grand Slam doubles titles.

However, she has been plagued by injuries in recent times and is now ranked 595, entering the prestigious WTA 1000 event in the Chinese capital as a wildcard.

She will face sixth seed Emma Navarro in the second round in Beijing.

In the Open Era, only one player has ever lost more than 24 matches in a row on the tour, excluding the Billie Jean King Cup, the WTA said.

That came in the early days of the tour, when Madeleine Pegel lost her first 29 WTA matches from 1968 to 1972.

H.Davies--TNT

Featured

Maswanganyi Clarifies Pirates Allegiance Amidst Career Transition

Patrick Maswanganyi has addressed speculation surrounding his career by reaffirming that Orlando Pirates remains his dream club, despite growing up as a Kaizer Chiefs supporter. Speaking during an exclusive interview, the Bafana Bafana international also clarified the nature of his relationship with former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou following his recent exit from the Soweto giants.

Kuwait's Yasmeen Waleed Wins High Jump Gold at Dakar Youth Olympics

Kuwaiti athlete Yasmeen Waleed has won the gold medal in the high jump at the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. Her victory established a new Kuwaiti national record of 1.80 meters, marking a significant milestone for the nation's youth sports program.

Matvei Michkov Leads Flyers in Goals but Ranks Sixth in Ice Time

Matvei Michkov leads the Philadelphia Flyers with 10 goals through 20 games, but his total ice time ranks sixth among the team's forwards. Head coach Rick Tocchet has concentrated Michkov’s additional minutes on the power play, where he has scored five of his goals, while his even-strength usage has remained relatively stable compared to last season.

Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Inductees

The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (NCJSHOF) has announced its Class of 2026 inductees, honoring four individuals for their athletic achievements and community contributions. The organization will celebrate the new class during its 19th Annual Induction Dinner Gala on November 22 at the Olympic Golf Club in South San Francisco.

Change text size: