Earlier in this tournament, Zhang Shuai lost her 23rd straight singles match, extending her record for the longest winless run on either the men’s or women’s tours in the Open Era. It wasn’t the end of Zhang’s U.S. Open story.
While her singles career continues to unravel, Zhang has found solace on the doubles court. A two-time women’s doubles Grand Slam champion, Zhang is through to the final with France’s Kristina Mladenovic, and they had to do it the hard way.
Zhang showed impressive resolve to serve out the match against home favourite Taylor Townsend and Czech partner Katerina Siniakova in a tight three-setter on Wednesday afternoon, given she hasn’t been able to get over the line in singles since January 2023.
Zhang and Mladenovic will take on Jelena Ostapenko and Lyudmyla Kichenok, who are looking for their first Grand Slam doubles title, in Friday’s final. Having begun the tournament with huge disappointment, Zhang has the chance to end it in major style.
