In a riveting display of resilience, China's Zhang Shuai secured a hard-fought victory over McCartney Kessler in the opening round of the China Open on Wednesday. This win marks the end of Zhang's 24-game losing streak at the event, propelling her into the next stage of the competition.
The match was tightly contested from the start. Zhang faced an early setback when a long shot gave Kessler a 1-love lead in the first set opener. However, Zhang demonstrated her fighting spirit by leveling the score to five after Kessler hit the net on a crucial point.
The first set culminated in a tense tiebreak, where Zhang unleashed a powerful forehand winner to claim the set. The second set mirrored the intensity of the first, with both players exchanging strong shots and Kessler leveling the score at five apiece with a cross-court forehand winner. Unable to break the deadlock, the set proceeded to another tiebreak.
Displaying remarkable composure, Zhang dominated the second tiebreak with a decisive 7-1 score, securing her place in the second round. She is set to face American Emma Navarro, adding another exciting chapter to her China Open journey.
Zhang Shuai's victory not only revitalizes her performance at this prestigious tournament but also inspires young athletes and tennis enthusiasts worldwide to persevere through challenges and setbacks.
Reference(s):
Zhang Shuai, Wang Xinyu shine in the opening round of China Open
cgtn.com
