Emma Navarro must be left frustrated after making good starts to tournaments, only to fumble the opportunities in later rounds. Just last fortnight, she stormed into the quarterfinal of the China Open after upsetting former champion Iga Swiatek, but went on to invariably lose to compatriot Jessica Pegula, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1.
The former world No. 8 has lost seven of eight quarterfinals this year, including at the Australian Open. It would have been an entirely different season if she had pulled off a better conversion ratio, but instead she has to remain settled with a single title in all of 2025 so far — in Merida, which, in turn, is just her second career title.
Zhang Shuai once again proved why it is unwise to underestimate the veteran on Chinese soil. The 36-year-old arrived in Beijing ranked 112th but knocked out higher-ranked Anastasia Zakharova and Wang Xinyu, and even gave a headache to eventual champion Amanda Anisimova in the third round (l. 7-6, 6-0).
The former world No. 22 — who carried an infamous and historic 24-match losing streak until the 2024 China Open — has largely decided to let go of her singles career and put more focus on doubles. Consequently, she stands proud in the top-15 rankings in doubles with five instances of titles or runner-up finishes this season.
Head-to-head: Zhang Shuai leads 1-0. Emma Navarro has already once fallen victim to the Chinese player on Chinese soil after losing 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of Beijing last year — when the latter was ranked a mere 595th. The American, seeking her first Wuhan win on her second try, must have learned her lessons.
