Zhang Shuai is one of 15 Chinese players in the main draw of the Beijing Open, a tournament record. She received a wild card entry and is the lowest-ranked player ever to compete in the tournament’s history, at No. 595. Last year, she ended her season after Montreal due to feeling mentally and physically drained and took a six-month break. From February of last year, she experienced a 24-game losing streak, breaking Vince Spade’s famous record of 21 losses from October 1999 to June 2000.

During this period, the Chinese female player faced several challenges, including an injury, the passing of a grandparent, and a decrease in self-confidence. The difficulties persisted until today, September 25, when she finally won against the American McCartney Kessler with scores of 7-6 (7-5) and 7-6 (7-1).

Only one player has lost more than 24 straight matches in the Open Era, excluding the Billie Jean King Cup. This occurred in the early days of the tour when Madeleine Pegel lost her first 29 matches from 1968 to 1972.

How did Zhang Shuai win her match, and what were her reactions?

Zhang was losing 5-3 in the first set but managed to turn it around and stay calm when it was tense in both sets. Facing No. 65 Kessler, Zhang came from a break down in the first set to break as the American served for the set. She then closed out the tight tiebreak on her third set point.

She was one point away from winning the match when she served at 5-4, but she made an error by hitting a swing volley into the netcord. The ball went two feet above the net and landed on her side, allowing Kessler to break serve and continue the match. She then held her serve after a deuce game and won the tiebreak, securing a momentous victory on her home soil.

“I think that this is the perfect timing,” Zhang told WTA Insider after the win. “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].