Why is Zhang Shuai feeling like Rafael Nadal at the China Open?

You can't spell Rafael Nadal without Zhang Shuai. OK, well you can, but the Chinese veteran is feeling like the former world No. 1 while she's in the midst of a career revival at the China Open.

After a third straight win, recorded Sunday over Greet Minnen, Zhang says she's capturing magic at her favorite place just like Nadal does at his, after having lost her last 24 singles matches prior to arriving on home soil this week.

Read more: Zhang Shuai goes from 24-match losing streak to beating a Top 10 player in just two days

The former world No. 22, who this week at No. 595, is a two-time quarterfinalist in Beijing, famously beating then-world No. 1 Dinara Safina at the tournament in 2009. Four of her nine career Top 10 wins, including over Emma Navarro in the second round, have also come at the tournament.

"I think the big difference for me is the court, the surface, very different. At China Open, this court I think like Philippe Chatrier for Rafa. When I'm on this court, I have everything," Zhang, whose first career tour-level win also came in Beijing 15 years ago.

"When I'm on this court, like Rafa on Philippe Chatrier, [I'm] feeling so good," Zhang continued with a smile. "I have no idea. I don't know why, but every time when I play China Open, I play so good, so well. Maybe because this court and my tennis is so working, like Rafa on French Open."

Zhang's improbable run looks to continue against Guadalajara champion and No. 23 seed Magdalena Frech, who has won her last seven matches. Something will have to give, but Zhang is channeling the spirit of one of Nadal's famous quotes as she looks ahead: What happened has happened, and here we are; we're in Beijing.

"Couple years ago we had some match before, but it's couple years ago," Zhang said. "Even last week, I couldn't win match. Everybody thought I think, 'Oh, Shuai in the draw.' Maybe everybody want to play against me. Now, actually no one want to play against me. Just one week, after one match, totally different.

"I don't think too much about before. I don't think too much about future. I just enjoy every moment and think about today."