ZHANG SHUAI MATCHES NAOMI OSAKA, KIM CLIJSTERS FEAT AS BEIJING REVIVAL CONTINUES
Zhang Shuai has undeniably proven to be the story of the China Open so far.
The 35-year-old was on a record 24-match losing streak heading into the WTA 1000 event, though now finds herself in the last eight of her home event for the third time.
Ranked 595th in the world after a sorry run of form, Shuai is now one of the lowest-ranked WTA 1000 quarter-finalists.
In fact, she is one of just four women ranked outside of the top 500 to reach this stage of a WTA 1000 event – with the other three stars all former major champions.
Zhang Shuai – World No 595, 2024 China Open
It is hard to believe that Shuai had not won a match since January 2023 coming into this week, considering some of the wins she has picked up.
The world No 595 finally snapped her losing streak in the opening round by defeating McCartney Kessler in two tiebreaks, before stunning world No 8 Emma Navarro to reach the third round.
Shuai then defeated close friend Greet Minnen to progress to the fourth round, before downing in-form 23rd seed Magdalena Frech – again in straight sets – to make the last eight.
Paula Badosa, also on a resurgent run, awaits in the quarter-final for the Chinese star.
Naomi Osaka – World No 747, 2024 Qatar Open
You don’t have to go back too far to find the last time a player outside the top 500 reached a WTA 1000 quarter-final – as former No 1 Osaka achieved the feat just a few months ago in Doha.
Ranked 747th at the time, the Japanese downed 15th seed Caroline Garcia in the opening round, before battling past Petra Martic in the second round.
Osaka then progressed to the last eight after receiving a round three walkover from Lesia Tsurenko, with fellow former No 1 Karolina Pliskova defeating her in two tiebreak sets.
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Sloane Stephens – World No 957, 2017 Canadian Open
After 11 months off court due to a foot injury, Stephens was almost outside the top 1000 of the WTA Rankings when she took to court at the 2017 Canadian Open.
Using a protected ranking to enter the draw, the American saw off Yulia Putintseva in the opening round, before an eye-catching win over 14th seed Petra Kvitova.
That was then followed by another big win against third seed Angelique Kerber before she saved three match points in an epic quarter-final battle versus Lucie Safarova.
Stephens was then beaten by Caroline Wozniacki in the last four but would win the US Open later that summer.
Kim Clijsters – Unranked, 2009 Cincinnati Open
Making her comeback from retirement and the birth of her first child, former No 1 Clijsters was still unranked heading into the Cincinnati Open 15 years ago.
However, she sent out a statement of intent in the opening round, defeating 12th seed Marion Bartoli in straight sets to kickstart her campaign.
Clijsters then defeated Patty Schnyder in straight sets before shocking sixth seed and reigning Roland Garros champion Svetlana Kuznetsova to reach the last eight.
The Belgian was beaten by world No 1 Dinara Safina, but memorably lifted her second US Open title only weeks later.
2024-10-01T14:36:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd