Zhang Shuai and Ekaterina Alexandrova teamed up under the Centre Court lights and delivered a commanding performance to defeat Ukraine’s Nadiia Kichenok and Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 6-2 at Wimbledon, booking their spot in the last 32 of the women’s doubles.
The 36-year-old Zhang Shuai, a seasoned doubles specialist from the Chinese mainland, and Alexandrova, a top-20 singles star from Russia, converted five of seven break points to surge ahead. Their blend of veteran savvy and aggressive baseline play turned a tight opening set in their favor and paved the way for a confident second-set finish.
“Ekaterina’s singles experience brings a unique edge,” Zhang said after the match. “Her versatile game makes our partnership stronger. We communicated well, and we aim to keep this momentum going.”
During their career-long collaboration, the pair have built on-court chemistry that has led to multiple quarterfinal runs on the WTA tour. As they prepare to face a seeded duo in the second round, they hope to extend their Wimbledon journey even further.
More than just another victory, this win highlights how strategic partnerships and shared ambition can redefine expectations in women’s doubles. Fans worldwide will be watching as Zhang and Alexandrova chase a deep Grand Slam run together.
Reference(s):
Zhang & Alexandrova advance to last 32, Wang & Zheng eliminated
cgtn.com
