From a straight-set sweep in the first set to suffering a hidden bagel and a comeback defeat by Schneider, Zhu Lin was eliminated in Ningbo but still received some good news.

Being the only representative of the Chinese female players in the Ningbo 500 singles event, Zhu Lin’s hard-fought three-set loss to the Russian young talent Schneider marked the complete disappearance of the Chinese women’s team from the singles competition at this 500-level tournament.

Before this key match started, the outside world held a mix of anticipation and a bit of worry!

The anticipation was due to Zhu Lin’s comeback victories over former US Open champion Raducanu in the first round and then top seed Andreyeva in the second round. These two wins undoubtedly boosted the confidence of the Chinese women’s team exponentially, naturally making people feel that Zhu Lin still had a chance to cause an upset in the third round against Schneider, even though the odds favored the Russian, with Zhu Lin’s odds at 3.0 compared to Schneider’s 1.4.

The concern was that Zhu Lin had previously faced Schneider twice and lost both times. The first encounter was at the 2023 Nanchang 250 tournament where they met in the first round, and Zhu Lin was swept in straight sets without winning a game. The second meeting was in the 2024 Hua Hin 250 final, where Zhu Lin gave her all in a three-set battle but ultimately saw her title defense hopes shattered by Schneider, leaving her in tears on the court.

Ranked over 200 places lower than her opponent and lacking a psychological advantage, plus Schneider’s improved and more consistent form since arriving in Ningbo, it was certainly not favorable for Zhu Lin.

From their first set encounter, Zhu Lin unleashed a furious offensive against Schneider, just as everyone had hoped before the match. After beating Raducanu and Andreyeva in the previous rounds, Zhu Lin was clearly riding a wave of confidence.

When Zhu Lin swept Schneider 6-2 in the first set, viewers immediately remarked that Zhu Lin was radiating fierce determination and looked poised to avenge her two previous losses. If she maintained that momentum, the match seemed likely to conclude in straight sets quickly.

Why were so many people so confident in Zhu Lin at that moment? Her performance in the first set was almost godlike, taking only 35 minutes to dismantle Schneider. Especially after seeing the Russian player smash her racket in frustration, it was clear her mindset had cracked. If Zhu Lin continued to apply pressure in the second set, fans and netizens believed Schneider was bound to collapse.

What surprised everyone was underestimating Schneider’s ability to adjust her form. Although nearly overwhelmed in the first set, Schneider changed tactics in the second, speeding up the pace. Whether Zhu Lin was fatigued or just unable to adapt, she soon found herself on the back foot. Once the Chinese player fell into Schneider’s comfort zone, the momentum on court shifted dramatically.

Taking control of the match, Schneider, buoyed by growing confidence, avoided prolonged exchanges with Zhu Lin and decisively took the second set 6-3, leveling the match.

With the score tied after two sets, the deciding set became the focal point for everyone. Chinese fans and netizens naturally hoped Zhu Lin could quickly regain her confidence after the setback in the second set. After such a stunning first set, it would be disappointing if she suddenly lost all resistance like she did in the second set, rendering all her previous efforts futile.

It was expected that after winning her first service game in the final set, Zhu Lin would fight harder and risk everything against Schneider. However, it turned out to be her swan song. Schneider won six consecutive games to end the match, handing Zhu Lin a hidden bagel and extending their head-to-head record to 3-0 in favor of the Russian.

After the match, many expressed understanding for Zhu Lin’s loss. At 31 years old, having played three full sets in the first two rounds, her physical condition was severely taxed. Playing another three-set match and faltering at a critical moment due to fatigue was unavoidable. Moreover, she had already given her all to carry the Chinese women’s tennis banner into the quarterfinals of the Ningbo 500, bringing fans joy and surprise. Even in defeat, she deserved praise.

Although Zhu Lin failed to advance further at the Ningbo 500, blocked from the semifinals by Schneider, she still received great news. With 108 ranking points gained, Zhu Lin’s current world ranking rose to 170, securing her a spot in next year’s Australian Open qualifying draw. Some say she achieved her goal for this tournament, while others believe she reached her ideal outcome. What is your view?(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)