Zhang Shuai powers into Beijing quarterfinals with fourth consecutive straight-set win

Zhang Shuai’s revival just keeps gathering steam.

The former world No. 22, who came into the China Open ranked all the way down at No. 595 after going on a 24-match losing streak over the last year and a half, has now won four matches in a row—all in straight sets—to reach the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 event.

She booked her spot in the final eight on Tuesday with a 6-4, 6-2 fourth-round victory over the No. 23 seed, Magdalena Frech, who had won her last seven matches in a row, a run that took her to her first WTA title in Guadalajara two weeks ago and to the last 16 here.

Zhang is now through to her first WTA quarterfinal in more than two years, since Tokyo in September 2022—and her last WTA 1000 quarterfinal came even longer ago, at Cincinnati in August 2022.

She’s now through to her fifth career WTA 1000 quarterfinal.

ZHANG SHUAI’S WTA 1000 QUARTERFINALS:
2014 Rome (l. to Serena in QFs)
2016 Beijing (l. to Konta in QFs)
2018 Beijing (l. to Osaka in QFs)
2022 Cincinnati (l. to Sabalenka in QFs)
2024 Beijing (vs. Badosa in QFs)

Following straight-set wins over McCartney Kessler, Emma Navarro and Greet Minnen in her first three rounds, Zhang was all over Frech from start to finish on Tuesday afternoon, ripping a total of 39 winners—two aces, 13 off the backhand and a whopping 24 off the forehand—to just 24 total unforced errors. She won 13 of her 14 net approaches and converted 6 of 12 break points in the match, too.

She closed it out after an hour and a half with a deep backhand return that drew one last error from the Guadalajara champion.

The Chinese veteran is projected to rise from No. 595 to right around the No. 250 mark by reaching the quarterfinals in the Chinese capital, and well into the Top 200 should she reach the semis.

Standing between Zhang and her first WTA 1000 semifinal will be No. 15 seed Paula Badosa, who upset No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula, 6-4, 6-0.

Zhang and Badosa will be playing each other for the first time.