The Spaniard Paula Badosa, 19th in the world, qualified this Thursday for the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing by beating the Chinese Zhang Shuai, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3).
Badosa put an end to the adventure of the Chinese, 35 years old, ex-22nd in the world who went down to 595th in the world due to an injury, who before this tournament remained on 24 defeats in a row on the circuit, the second worst series since the start of the Open era in 1968.
Zhangwho had won his previous four matches in Beijing without losing a set, conceded the first set in 23 minutes, gaining only six points behind his entry.
But the game of Badosa then suddenly went haywire, particularly in the service, and his opponent obtained a break point at the start of the second set, converted with style.
The Chinese player started to let go of all her shots and her too many risks allowed the Spaniard to come back to 3-3.
A 5-6, Zhang had to fight to win the right to play the tie-break, under the encouragement of the finally awakened public.
In the decisive game, however, she ended up giving in, despite great resistance.
The former world number 2 will face the American in the semi-final Coco Gauff6th in the world, or the Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtsevaranked 115th and from qualifying.
