Zhang Shuai abandons doubles to end losing streak and shines, Wang Xinyu breaks into the TOP30 for the first time

After Zhang Shuai broke through the Merida 500 qualifying rounds into the main event, people once again applauded this 37-year-old Chinese veteran!

The current recognition for Shuai Jin Hua is not merely due to her qualifying success, but rather the inspiring story behind it that truly earns admiration!

In the first qualifying round against Piter, many saw Zhang Shuai’s debut in Merida as a key match, eager to see if she could achieve sweet revenge for her loss 13 years ago.

Zhang Shuai first faced Piter in the 2013 Guangzhou Open, where on her home court, in front of hometown fans, she helplessly watched Piter take the victory from her—an image both heartbreaking and awkward. Losing to a top player would be one thing, but Piter was then an unknown player.

Many expected Zhang Shuai to quickly avenge that loss and restore her honor, but no one anticipated that after that Guangzhou match, Zhang and Piter would never meet again until this unexpected encounter in the Merida qualifiers. This coincidence was seen by some as an unbreakable bond; others believed it was a last chance for revenge before Shuai’s retirement, as if fate had arranged their meeting again across thousands of miles.

It must be said that in this match against Piter, Zhang Shuai showed a different side, taking the initiative right from the start by winning the first set 6-3.

In the second set, her steady performance seemed to silently tell everyone that since they were so eager to see her get revenge, she would prove it. Ultimately, Zhang sealed the match with a 6-4 win, avenging her 13-year-old defeat at the Guangzhou Open and bringing a satisfying close to this delayed revenge.

After reaching the final round of Merida qualifiers, Zhang Shuai’s performance impressed everyone once again.

Facing Trevisan, when she fell behind 2-4 in the first set, some fans joked that maybe Zhang Shuai only showed such intensity against Piter because revenge can unleash hidden strength. They guessed she would likely lose in the final qualifying round and miss the Merida 500 main draw.

However, at the crucial moment, Shuai Jin Hua showed everyone why experience counts.

Under immense pressure, Zhang Shuai did not collapse but instead fought back strongly, eventually overturning the deficit to win the first set 7-5, barely escaping danger.

In the second set, Zhang completely ignited the crowd and online supporters.

She turned the set into a personal showcase, finishing powerfully and decisively, securing her spot in the Merida 500 main draw and handing Trevisan her third consecutive loss.

After the match, while praising Zhang Shuai’s outstanding performance, many noted that her play in Merida seemed completely different from previous singles tournaments—full of determination, as if success was the only option, radiating a lethal intensity.

Soon, the reason became clear!

Previously, Zhang Shuai usually competed in both singles and doubles on the tour, with doubles often her main focus, never missing those events. But in Merida, she gave up doubles with a clear intention: to concentrate on singles and improve her singles ranking.

Many saw this move as pushing herself into a corner with no fallback, praising her courage as something few could easily do.

This approach helped Zhang Shuai end her five-match singles losing streak since Brisbane in Merida, and her overall energy and spirit look excellent now. Some boldly speculate that if she maintains this form and fighting spirit, she could advance further after facing Lepchenko in the first round.

Wang Xinyu is currently receiving similar attention, with some describing her as “a long-suffering bride finally becoming the mistress,” her hard work in the new season paying off with a major breakthrough in the rankings.

When Wang’s singles ranking reached 32, many believed entering the TOP30 was just a matter of time. Unexpectedly, the second-ranked Chinese player did not get praised but instead saw her ranking decline, moving further away from the TOP30.

After more than two years of waiting, Wang Xinyu finally stabilized her performance in the 2026 season, reaching a career-high ranking of 30.

However, to maintain her TOP30 spot, Wang still needs to work harder, as her points lead over Sakari and Iga is slim—just three points ahead of the former and six points over the latter.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River Starry Sky)