Zhang Shuai’s journey at this year’s Wimbledon qualifiers reached its peak on Thursday in London, as the 36-year-old Chinese star breezed past Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee with a clean 6-2, 6-2 victory. With this win, Zhang becomes the sixth player from the Chinese mainland to punch her ticket into the women’s singles main draw at the All England Club.
The match saw Zhang break Tararudee early in the first set’s fifth game to lead 3-2, then capitalise on another break in game seven. From there, Zhang held serve to seal the opening set 6-2. In the second, she once again broke twice in the first five games and closed out the contest with a confident hold for another 6-2.
"I can't even remember how many times I've played at Wimbledon, but this is my first time making it through the qualifying stage," Zhang said courtside. "Now I have qualified for the main draw at all four Grand Slams—a childhood dream come true. To achieve it again at 36 makes me especially proud."
This marks Zhang’s 48th Grand Slam appearance and her 11th singles outing at Wimbledon. She’ll join compatriots Zheng Qinwen (seeded fifth), Wang Xinyu, Yuan Yue, Zhu Lin, and Buyunchaokete in the tournament proper. All will enter unseeded, setting the stage for exciting potential upsets and breakthrough runs.
As the championships begin next Monday, Zhang’s blend of experience and grit makes her a player to watch. For a generation of young fans and digital nomads tuning in online, her story is proof that persistence and passion can turn late-career milestones into new beginnings on tennis’s grandest stage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
