MY ACCOUNT
Zhang Shuai went winless in her first 14 appearances at major tournaments but has turned her fortunes around as she prepares for a US Open fourth-round clash with Coco Gauff.
The Chinese tennis player was said to be considering retirement in 2015 after 14 unsuccessful attempts at grand slams, though was convinced to keep fighting by friend and fellow competitor Sam Stosur.
Simona Halep at the 2016 Australian Open was the first scalp Zhang claimed at a major before she went on to reach the quarter-finals.
The 33-year-old, who has two grand slams titles in doubles with Stosur, has not looked back from that win over Halep and has made it to the second week at all four majors in 2022.
“This year, I already have three third rounds,” Zhang said after her third-round win at the US Open. “Oh my god, I won six matches! Before I couldn’t win one match in many, many years. How happy!
“That’s why when we meet some players who want to stop or feels sad after the match, I always tell them next match, see how you are better.
“When I started the tour, how bad [were my] results? No one was worse than me. [These girls are] much better than me, right? You guys are still young. Keep trying.”
Gauff awaits Zhang in the round-of-16 as the latter searches for a maiden major success and fourth singles title.
