World no.595 with less than $1 million in prize money who was on 24-match losing streak beats Emma Navarro in seismic shock
Today at 06:34 AM
US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro suffered a shock defeat as she was knocked out of the China Open by Zhang Shuai.
Despite heading into the clash as the overwhelming favourite, the world no.8 was beaten in straight sets by world number 595 Zhang, who had only recently recorded her first win in more than 600 days.
But the 35-year-old showed no signs of rustiness against sixth seed Navarro, as she cruised to a 6-4 6-2 victory to reach the third round of her home tournament in what was described as a seismic shock by commentators.
In doing so, Zhang became the lowest ranked player to defeat top 10 opposition at the China Open since its inception in 2004.
Prior to this week, she had been on a 24-match losing streak, before finally shedding the unwanted record by overcoming McCartney Kessler with a hard-fought 7-6 7-6 win in the first round.
The winless run began in January 2023, and was just five short of Madeleine Pegel’s record, who lost 29 successive games between 1968 and 1972.
Speaking after ending the 603-day drought against Kessler, she told WTA insider: “I think that this is the perfect timing.
“My first win at a WTA tournament was 15 years ago at China Open, and then the next day I beat the No. 1 player [Dinara Safina in 2009].
“Maybe God has a plan.”
Zhang, a two-time doubles major champion, has earned $579,590 in prize money this year compared to Navarro, who has $2.6 million banked in 2024.
And Zhang is no stranger to tough times on the court. She famously lost her first 14 main-draw Grand Slam matches, and contemplated retirement ahead of the 2016 Australian Open before breaking her duck with a similarly stunning first-round upset against then world number two Simona Halep.
She went on to reach the quarter-finals in the same tournament and admitted that this experience inspired her to keep going during her latest difficult spell.
Comparing the two experiences, she said: “It was like before when I lost the first round at the Grand Slams all the time, so I thought: ‘I have to challenge myself, but I am not young anymore’.
“I don't have so many chances. I don't have that many tournaments. I need a little bit better draw. I need at least one more win in my life.”
Following her latest victory, Zhang will now look to extend her winning streak against either 28th-seed Anastasia Potapova or Belgium’s Greet Minnen in the next round.
Defeat for Navarro, meanwhile, dealt a serious blow to her hopes of qualifying for the year-end WTA Finals in November.
The 23-year-old is currently ranked a career-best number eight in the world following an impressive 2024 having lifted a first tour title in January, before reaching her maiden Grand Slam semi-final at the US Open.
Navarro defeated defending champion and third seed Coco Gauff en route to the last four in New York, before losing out to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets.
