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China's Zhang Shuai stuns World No. 2 Kontaveit to scale new heights in Cincinnati
CGTN
Zhang Shuai of China in action during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, U.S., August 18, 2022. /CFP

Zhang Shuai of China in action during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, U.S., August 18, 2022. /CFP

For the first time in 4 years, Zhang Shuai has emerged triumphant against a top 10 tennis player.  

The Chinese veteran pulled off a tremendous upset at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday night, ousting world No.2 Anett Kontaveit 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach her first quarterfinals at the showpiece event on her sixth appearance. 

Taking out Kontaveit is no mean feat as the Estonian star has been in outstanding form this year. Over the past few months, she has reached three finals, winning in St. Petersburg and finishing runner-up in Qatar and Hamburg.

Playing a forehand during the Cincinnati Open, August 18, 2022. /CFP

Playing a forehand during the Cincinnati Open, August 18, 2022. /CFP

Nevertheless, Zhang is no pushover. The World No. 44 is fast becoming the player that no one wants to play in Cincinnati after swatting aside four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and Ekaterina Alexandrova in quick succession earlier this week.  

During her much-anticipated encounter with Kontaveit, Zhang looked to be struggling after losing her way in a one-sided first set tie break. But the 33-year-old made a remarkable recovery, with her powerful serving and aggressive returns proving too much for the second seed in the next two sets. 

The comeback victory marked Zhang's first win over top 10 opposition since she beat Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in the third round of the China Open in 2018.

Anett Kontaveit of Estonia plays a backhand during the Cincinnati Open, August 18, 2022. /CFP

Anett Kontaveit of Estonia plays a backhand during the Cincinnati Open, August 18, 2022. /CFP

Next up for Zhang will be the winner of the matchup between World No. 6 Aryna Sabalenka and American qualifier Shelby Rogers. A former semifinalist in Cincinnati, Sabalenka will be aiming to better that result this time around. And if the Belarusian comes out on top as expected, Zhang is sure to face another stern test. 

Later in the day, 2019 Cincinnati champion Madison Keys edged out two-time French Open winner Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-4. It was the second successive week that the Pole lost in the third round of a WTA tournament. She suffered an early exit in Toronto last week. 

Fifth seed Ons Jabeur was knocked out by former world No. 2 Petra Kvitova 6-1 4-6 6-0 in a marathon match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes on Grandstand Court.

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