Zhang Shuai of China hits a return during the women's singles third round match against Rebecca Marino of Canada at the 2022 US Open in New York, Sept. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Zhang Shuai reached the last 16 in both singles and mixed doubles at the US Open, becoming only the second Chinese player to enter the last 16 at all Grand Slams after two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na.
NEW YORK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's Zhang Shuai claimed a straight set victory over Canadian Rebecca Marino at the third round of US Open women's singles on Friday, before paired with Mate Pavic of Croatia to advance into mixed doubles second round.
After four Chinese players entered the women's singles third round together at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, 33-year-old Zhang took a step further first by reaching the last 16 after defeating the world No. 106 Marino 6-2, 6-4.
Zhang kept a great momentum to win the two sets in 63 minutes and advanced into the fourth round of US Open singles for the first time. She thus became the second Chinese player to achieve the last 16 at all Grand Slams after Li Na, two-time Grand Slam winner who were induced into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.
The world No. 36 will take on in the next round American sensation Coco Gauff who beat compatriot Madison Keys 6-2, 6-3.
Zhang Shuai of China celebrates after the women's singles third round match against Rebecca Marino of Canada at the 2022 US Open in New York, Sept. 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Hours later, Zhang, with her partner Pavic, beat American pair Louisa Chirico/Bradley Klahn 7-6 (1), 6-3, marking a good start of her third event at this year's US Open after winning women's doubles first round on Thursday.
Zhang/Pavic dominated the tiebreaker 7-1 in the first set and rushed to seal the victory 6-3. In the second round, they will face another American pair Keys and Bjorn Fratangelo.
In the women's doubles, seventh seeds Chinese pair Xu Yifan/Yang Zhao Xuan moved to the third round after defeating Swedish-Russian pair Rebecca Peterson/Anastasia Potapova 6-3, 6-4. ■
