Zhang Shuai advances doubles, exits singles

Chinese tennis player Zhang Shuai faced two different outcomes in one day at the HSBC Championships: she was eliminated in the first round of women’s singles in straight sets by Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, but in the doubles first round, partnered with Australia’s Storm Hunter, defeated a local British pair in three sets to reach the quarterfinals.

Zhang Shuai advanced to the singles main draw after fighting through the qualifiers. Facing 20-year-old left-hander Alexandra Eala, Zhang struggled with her overall rhythm, unable to keep up with her opponent’s pace and failing to earn any break points throughout the match. She lost 3-6, 2-6, marking a second consecutive first-round exit in singles after the French Open.

After a break, Zhang switched to the doubles event. In the opening set, Zhang and Hunter quickly found their groove, capitalizing on their opponents’ key errors to secure a break, winning 6-4. Their British opponents made timely adjustments in the second set, taking it 6-3 to even the match at one set all. In the deciding match tiebreak, Zhang and Hunter won a string of crucial points to pull ahead, ultimately sealing the victory 10-5, advancing safely to the doubles quarterfinals.