Chinese tennis star Zhang Shuai’s journey at the China Open came to a dramatic end on Thursday as Spain’s Paula Badosa clinched a 6-1, 7-6(4) victory in the quarterfinals. The match, held in Beijing, showcased fierce rallies and a gutsy comeback attempt by the home favorite that kept fans on the edge of their seats 🎾✨.
Badosa stormed ahead early, dominating the first set with precision serves and aggressive play. Zhang, a veteran crowd favorite, regrouped in the second set, snagging a 2-0 lead with sharp returns and fiery determination. Despite a valiant effort to rally from 5-4 down—saving a match point and leveling the score—Zhang couldn’t hold off Badosa’s final surge in the tiebreaker.
Next up, Badosa faces U.S. rising star Coco Gauff in the semifinals. While Zhang’s exit stings for local fans, her gritty performance proved why she remains a beloved figure in Chinese sports 💪🏼.
