China No 1 Zhang Shuai dumped out in Indian Wells Masters singles opener
- Zhang’s defeat to 19-year-old Marta Kostyuk leaves Zheng Saisai as the only Chinese player left in the singles draw
China’s top player Zhang Shuai lasted barely 90 minutes in this year’s Indian Wells Masters singles draw in California, before she was eliminated by world No 58 Marta Kostyuk in three sets at tennis’ unofficial “fifth slam”.
Zhang, the world No 48, went down 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 to the 19-year-old and leaves Zheng Saisai as the only Chinese player left in the singles draw. She meets Polish qualifier Magdalena Frech in her first assignment on Thursday night.
The 32-year-old Zhang has endured a mixed 2021 campaign, which has seen her singles world ranking slip from a high of 30 last season. She has enjoyed far more success in women’s doubles this term.
Alongside Indian partner Sania Mirza, the Tianjin-native claimed the Ostrava Open title last month. That came just two weeks after she sensationally claimed a second grand slam victory with Samantha Stosur at the US Open in New York. Her first grand slam doubles crown was won, also alongside Stosur, at the Australian Open in 2019.
Against Kostyuk, Zhang was punished for a series of double faults and an inability to handle the youngster’s powerful service game.
Zhang, a four-time grand slam singles quarter-finalist, opens her doubles account in California alongside Mirza against the Japanese third-seeded pairing of Shuka Aoyama and Ena Shibahara on Thursday night.
The Japanese duo have already qualified for the all-important season-ending WTA Finals in Mexico next month, as have the Czech top seeds in California Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
Only the top eight doubles pairs will be invited to Guadalajara, with Zhang well in the mix after the US Open win with Australia’s Stosur. The duo sit fourth in the standings going into Indian Wells.
Zheng will also be in doubles action at Indian Wells, she and Britain’s Heather Watson will play fourth seeds Alexa Guarachi of Chile and Desirae Krawczyk of the US on Friday.
