Connect with us

CELEBRITY

‘I love her’ – Coco Gauff thrilled as two-time Grand Slam champion Zhang Shuai finally ends 24-match los…see more

Published

on

Chinese tennis star Zhang Shuai has finally ended the second-longest losing streak in WTA Tour history – much to the delight of Coco Gauff.

Zhang overcame McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1) in the first round of the China Open to end a run of 24 consecutive matches without a victory.

The cruel losing streak, which began in January 2023, lasted a staggering 603 days before it came to an end in Beijing.

Zhang’s luckless run ended five short of Madeleine Pegel’s record, which stands at 29 matches without a win.

It was by no means a straightforward victory for Zhang, the former world No. 22, as she had to fight back from being a break down in the first set.

Zhang – a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion having triumphed at the Australian and US Open – was also broken when she served for the match in the second set.

But luckily for the 35-year-old, she blitzed the second set tiebreaker to win the match.

Advertisement
Zhang had been incredibly unlucky with some of her first round draws at various tournaments this year having had to play Daria Kasatkina, Diana Shnaider, Veronika Kudermetova and Karolina Pliskova.

Speaking to WTA Insider after her victory, she said: “I think that this is the perfect timing.

“My first win at a WTA tournament was 15 years ago at China Open, and then the next day I beat the No. 1 player [Dinara Safina in 2009]. “Maybe God has a plan.”

Although Zhang was evidently delighted to have snapped her losing streak, one superstar may have been even happier than the 35-year-old: Coco Gauff.

The American was conducting her media duties before the China Open when she caught wind of Zhang’s triumph over Kessler.

Gauff was delighted with the result as she lifted the lid on how Zhang left a lasting impression on her with a touching locker room moment.

“She said, ‘Don’t worry, Coco. You will win a Grand Slam,'” Gauff told WTA Insider.

“‘I have so much belief in you. I would bet my life on it.’ And then I won the US Open [in 2023]!

“I never told her that, but it stuck with me for a long time, just that she had that belief in me. I think every player on tour likes her so it’s so great to see her win.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CELEBRITY23 hours ago

Hot cake; Taylor Swift is recording a new song with a famous rapper according to DJ Snake

CELEBRITY1 day ago

EXCLUSIVE; Taylor Swift is already working on new music for 2025 and has plans to tour AGAIN in 2026 – despite being slammed as ‘gross’ by fatigued fans for releasing 30-PLUS versions of The Tortured Poets Department

CELEBRITY1 day ago

New Update; Taylor Swift’s surprising new friendship with liberal journalist Ronan Farrow revealed

CELEBRITY2 days ago

Taylor Swift performs acoustic version of Rihanna song she wrote with ex Calvin Harris during Eras Tour show in Liverpool

CELEBRITY2 days ago

BREAKING NEWS; Police ‘make major breakthrough’ in Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce burglaries investigation

CELEBRITY2 days ago

Update; Jason Kelce reveals huge change Taylor Swift has made to Travis Kelce’s personality during their romance: ‘My girl Tay’

CELEBRITY2 days ago

WAG wars! Wife of Bills star under fire for brutal Taylor Swift post after win over Travis Kelce and the Chiefs

CELEBRITY2 days ago

REVEALED: Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s romance has cost the NFL star a staggering $8 MILLION – after he shelled out for everything from private jet rides to lavish Valentine’s gifts

CELEBRITY3 days ago

Unbelievable; Serena Williams films special Rafael Nadal video with touching clothing choice

CELEBRITY3 days ago

New Update; Only Spice Girls and Rafael Nadal” – Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams turn heads in special Nike ‘merch’ to honor Spaniard amid Davis Cup farewell

NEWS3 days ago

Rumor; Rockets linked to Nuggets’ $179 million scorer amid NBA trade rumors

CELEBRITY3 days ago

Check This Out; Mike Tyson issues new six-word statement after being inundated with messages about Jake Paul fight

Copyright © 2024 UKgets