by Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Sunday, June 11,2022 was a good day for Chinese tennis.
Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, reported that players from China won three “major” titles around the world. Well, make that a WTA Tour title and two “Challenger” title but still impressive none-the-less for a nation that is showing increasing success in the post Li Na era.
At the Nottingham Open WTA tournament, Zhang Shuai won the doubles titles with Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia defeating Monica Niculescu and Caroline Dolehide in straight sets 7-6(2), 6-3.
“Amazing tournament and I always play so well here,” Zhang said. “It’s a really tough match, and both girls play well. It’s the first time me and my partner have played together, but anyway, I think we will do more tournaments together.”
Zhang, 33, is former world No. 23 and reached the quarterfinals of Australian Open in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2019.
In Valencia, Spain, at a $125,000-level “Challenger” event, it was an all-China final as China’s Zheng Qinwen beat compatriot Wang Xiyu 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to win the women’s singles final. Zheng continued her strong play after reaching the fourth round and being the only player to win a set against eventual champion Iga Swiatek.
In men’s tennis, also on the Challenger front, Wu Yibing won the men’s singles title at the U.S. Tennis Association’s National Campus when his final-round opponent Jason Kubler of Australia, retired with the score 6-7(5), 6-4, 3-1. The win was the first by a Chinese man on the Challenger Tour in three years. as his opponent Jason Kubler retired, ending a three-year title drought for Chinese male players in the challenge tour.
Wu, now age 22, won the 2017 U.S. Open junior championships but has struggled with injuries. He was ranked as low as No. 1749, but is now up to No. 332. Along with former world No. 1 junior Jerry Shang, Chinese tennis is showing increased promise in men’s tennis, which has lagged behind the success of Chinese women’s tennis, led by former French and Australian Open champion Li Na.
