China’s rising star causes upset at Guangzhou Open, sparking cheers as Zhang Shuai easily defeats Sinner’s ex-girlfriend

A shocking win and a steadfast return of a veteran, Chinese tennis embraces the joy of both emerging and enduring players this fall season.

On October 28, the WTA Tour announced thrilling news—Chinese youngster Bai Zhuoxuan upset the top seed Li Jinyu, who had just won the Guangzhou title, with a 6-3, 6-1 scoreline in the first round at Jiujiang, delighting fans!

Meanwhile, at the Hong Kong event, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai displayed excellent form by swiftly defeating Eliaevets 6-2, 6-2 in just 58 minutes, wiping away the disappointment from her earlier withdrawal in the Guangzhou semifinals.

Before Bai Zhuoxuan’s match, predictions overwhelmingly favored Li Jinyu. The player, who had just claimed her second career WTA Tour title in Guangzhou without dropping a set all week, had climbed to world No. 33 and was close to securing a seed for the Australian Open.

In contrast, Bai Zhuoxuan’s recent performances were less remarkable, making this her first tour-level win in over a year. Most expected Li Jinyu to advance easily and move closer to an Australian Open seed.

However, the match unfolded unexpectedly. Bai Zhuoxuan showed fierce determination from the start, countering Li Jinyu’s powerful shots with steady, tactical play, patiently seeking opportunities during long rallies. In the crucial eighth game, Bai broke serve and closed the set 6-3, surprising viewers and prompting astonished reactions in the live chat.

In the second set, Bai Zhuoxuan grew stronger, while Li Jinyu appeared unable to shake off the effects of losing the first set.

Viewers commented in the live stream: “It’s like two completely different players!” “Bai played so patiently today!” “Li Jinyu seems still tired from Guangzhou.”

Bai Zhuoxuan won five consecutive games to take the second set 6-1, sealing a 2-0 upset over the top seed and delivering an inspiring victory.

For Bai Zhuoxuan, this triumph is deeply meaningful. It marks her first tour-level win in over a year, and it came against the in-form top seed fresh off a title, undoubtedly boosting her confidence for her career ahead.

On social media, fans expressed excitement: “Seeing such performance from a young Chinese player is thrilling! Maybe we are witnessing the rise of a new star.”

After the match, Bai Zhuoxuan shared her joy in an interview: “I’m very happy to win today. Li Jinyu is an excellent player; I just focused on playing each point and doing my best.”

When asked about upcoming matches, she said she would continue to give her all.

On the same day in Hong Kong, Chinese veteran Zhang Shuai also brought good news. Despite some recent fluctuations in form, most believed her rich experience would be key to victory.

A fan wrote in the live chat: “Zhang Shuai’s style is always resilient; she might not be the flashiest, but she’s definitely one of the toughest Chinese players.”

During the match, Zhang gave her opponent no chance, winning in straight sets. Fans flooded the stream with comments like “Shuai is back!” and “Zhang Shuai is unstoppable today!” to cheer her on.

In the next round at Hong Kong, Zhang Shuai faces a bigger challenge against No. 6 seed Russian player Kalinskaya, known among fans as “Sinner’s ex-girlfriend” due to her past relationship with Italian star Sinner, adding extra intrigue to the matchup.

Fans expressed varied hopes for the upcoming match: “Zhang Shuai must keep her form; the next match is the real test! We hope both Chinese players keep advancing and bring glory to Chinese tennis.”

Bai Zhuoxuan’s victory undoubtedly injects fresh energy into Chinese tennis after a quiet period, while veteran Zhang Shuai’s steady performance proves her strength and value. With the Jiujiang and Hong Kong tournaments ongoing, whether these Chinese stars can maintain momentum and advance further remains a key focus for tennis fans in China.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)