Coco Gauff congratulates Shuai Zhang after ending historic 24-match losing streak. The Chinese tennis player returned to winning form in the first round of the China Open, defeating McCartney Kessler 7-6(5), 7-6(1), and advancing to the second round of her home WTA 1000 event.
It had been 603 days since Zhang last tasted victory. The former world No. 22 had won her last WTA Tour match in January 2023, making this the second-longest losing streak in the Open Era, only behind Madeleine Pegel’s 29 losses between 1968 and 1972.
"I think that this is the perfect timing," Zhang told WTA Insider after defeating Kessler. "My first win at a WTA tournament was 15 years ago at the China Open, and the next day I beat the No.1 player [Dinara Safina]. Maybe God has a plan."
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The Chinese player had to fight back from a break down in the first set to force a tiebreak. She seemed set for victory with a break lead in the second set but missed a volley on match point: "When I was sitting there, I told myself if I kept thinking about that point, I would lose the whole match," Zhang explained.
"So I reminded myself that my doubles partner did it. When she plays a bad point, I don't care. I say it's OK; nobody can be perfect. But sometimes, we can be angry with ourselves,” she added.
"I played against a lot of great players: [Karolina] Pliskova, [Diana] Shnaider, [Veronika] Kudermetova, [Daria] Kasatkina. It was like before when I always lost in the first round of Grand Slams,” commented the current world No. 595. "I thought I needed to challenge myself, but I'm not young anymore. So, I don’t have many chances left. I need a little better draw. I need at least one more win in my life."
Recently, Zhang’s former doubles partner Coco Gauff expressed her happiness at seeing Zhang break her negative streak. "It was tough to see her going through the streak," the 2023 US Open champion said. “But honestly, you would have never noticed she was going through that. I saw her right after matches, and she would still say hi and be so excited to see me, which, I’m not like that after I lose.”
"That just shows the type of person she is. I've learned a lot from her,” Gauff added.
The former world No. 2 remembered the support she received from Zhang after her quarterfinal loss at the 2023 French Open: "She said, 'Don't worry, Coco. You will win a Grand Slam. I have so much belief in you. I would bet my life on it,'" said Gauff. "And then I won the US Open!
"I never told her, but her words stuck with me for a long time. She had so much belief in me. I think every player on tour likes her, so it’s amazing to see her win. I love her. She deserves everything."
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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