Zhang Shuai (21 January 1989) is from Tianjin, ranked 6th in China in 2008. She’s playing Irina Buryachok (07/05/1986) of Ukraine on court 17 at 2009 US Open, Qualifying Round on Wednesday August 26, 2009. She had bit trouble closing out the first set .. but nevertheless won in two sets.
- 2023, retired from a match in tears
- 2022, vs Coco Gauff – R of 16
- 2021 Stosur/Zhang def Dolehide/Sanders; won
- 2019, quarter @ Wimbledon vs Halep
- 2016, quarters @ Aussie; US Open & China Open
- 2013.08.22, US Open
She looks like a very promising player, has right physique; very easy on the eye.
Chinese girls are definitely making an inroad in tennis.
Any one still remembers Hu Na 胡娜 who requested political asylum in the USA in 1983 now settled in Taipei? Taiwan? I’m skeptical of people from China end up in Taiwan – most likely they can’t make it in the open world.
Zhang and Buryachok’s match was very enjoyable, both are sleek and pretty, and don’t grunt. We spotted Irina miles away. Her outfit is striking, she wore them well. They traded many long rallies, corner to corner. Many seemingly impossible shots only followed by stunning returns. Up close and personal, those girls hit so hard and accurate. Pumpkin loves Zhang’s backhand.
All baseline.
Bit boring.
I MISS Boris Becker, Patrick Rafter, Pete Sampras ..
..
Wondering if Zhang Shuai has changed her name?
Huang Shuai (the school girl who rebelled against her teacher during the Cultural Revolution) was the name she was born with ..
What about Peng Shuai (born in 1986)?
..
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A quick serve game from Zhang below..
I went with Pumpkin plus few more friends and kids. Ran into countless buddies. Sandy told me ..
“I figure it out, your daughter looks like Mu Lan.
The couple who sat next to me,
“She’s your daughter?” the wife pointed to Zhang Shuai.
Then few moments later, Pumpkin reappeared across the court, sat down with other kids.
“That must be your daughter.” The wife said triumphantly.
ha ha ha ..
This couple’s daughter who’s working now played tennis in high school, and had reached the national level.
“Did she get scholarship?” I asked, thinking of the Lady Red last weekend.
“No.” The Ivies do not dole out athletic scholarships.
“Where did she go?”
“Cornell.”
The wife added that it required 3 hours of practice daily. “No money no play.”
She told her daughter .. the mothers 🙂
The weather was nice. The SheaCitiField commuter parking lot, that was free during the qualifying round in the past is now charging $18. The commuter rate now is $4 (used to be $3 for many many years) and has to be in before 9am. Used to be 10am on a game day. The parking lot E is still free. There is a miniature golf attracting many spectators who got bored with tennis overdoes.
After the game’s over, Zhang is patient with autography seekers as well as photo requests. One man in his 30 or possible 40s asked,
“你府上是那里？” Where are you from.
She paused, because the usage is kind of old, deferential to a senior.
“From Tianjin.”
Irene’s thinking: man, get hold of yourself.
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