"Emma Navarro shakes with fear every time she sees a Chinese flag" - Fans tease American over Zheng Qinwen dig after China Open exit to Zhang Shuai
Last week, Zhang Shuai suffered her 24th straight singles loss, the worst streak in tennis history. Now playing at her home tournament at the China Open, the 35-year-old has not only broken that dreaded streak but also notched an astounding top-10 win.
Zhang recorded her first singles win since late January 2023 at the 2024 China Open. Zhang, awarded a main draw wildcard, defeated McCartney Kessler 7-6 (5), 7-6 (1) in the first round of the WTA 1000 event. In the second round, the Chinese veteran came up against sixth-seed Emma Navarro.
The American came to the China Open in high confidence after reaching her maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the 2024 US Open. However, it was Zhang who was terrific in the second-round contest with her heavy groundstrokes and aggressive shotmaking. For most of the match, Navarro was on the back foot and playing defense, and ultimately, Zhang emerged victorious 6-4, 6-2.
The result sent shockwaves across the tennis world. Many fans took to social media to congratulate Zhang Shuai on her seismic victory. They joked that her win was an homage to her compatriot Zheng Qinwen, who recently had a controversial exchange with Navarro at the Paris Olympics.
After losing to Zheng in the third round at the Olympics, Navarro revealed that she "didn't respect" the Chinese No. 1 and slammed her "cut-throat" approach to tennis. Fans remembered the controversial incident while praising Zhang for her win.
"Lost in a cutthroat way to Zheng's elder," a fan joked.
"Zhang Shuai is so ruthless and cut throat and will be blocked by Navarro," another fan commented.
"Shuai said what did you say about Qinwen? Haha doing it for her fellow countrywoman!" a fan wrote on X.
A fan also quipped that Navarro dreads any player from China after her altercation with Zheng. Many were also impressed by Zhang's comeback on the singles circuit after an extensive losing streak.
"Navarro shakes with fear every time she sees a Chinese flag," a fan said.
"WHAT??? lemme take this as the universe telling me that my side quests are over and i need to lock back in to tennis cause why are things actually falling apart," said another fan.
"This is wild Zhang 26 match losing streak and now smacks Navarro somehow lol," a fan tweeted.
"Now that’s how you make a comeback, well done Shuai!" a fan applauded.
After beating Emma Navarro, Zhang Shuai to face Greet Minnen in China Open 3R
Zhang Shuai will hope to continue her excellent form at the 2024 China Open against Greet Minnen, her third-round opponent at the WTA 1000 tournament. The first tour-level meeting between the two women will take place on Sunday, September 29. Minnen has so far defeated Erika Andreeva and No. 28 seed Anastasia Potapova in her maiden campaign at the tournament.
Zhang Shuai has a good record at the China Open, with her first tour-level win coming in Beijing 15 years ago. Moreover, four of her nine top 10 wins have come at the China Open. Her best performance at the tournament has been two quarterfinal finishes - 2016 and 2018.
If Zhang manages to win her third consecutive match at the China Open, she will face either Magdalena Frech or Diana Shnaider in the fourth round. Zhang also played doubles in Beijing and lost in the first round alongside Elise Mertens.