Wildcard Zhang Shuai from China made the biggest news at the ongoing China Open tennis tournament, beating world No. 1 Dinara Safina in the second round on Monday. The 20-year-old, only ranked 226 in the world and spending much of her time playing the ITF events, battled two hours to outlast the Russian 7-5, 7-6(5) for a berth in the last 16 and the biggest-ever victory in her career.
"I look different on and off the court. I am a modest guy but it does not mean I don't have confidence," said Zhang, who played for the first time on the Main Court of any WTA tournaments.
Zhang Shuai of China returns a shot to World number one Dinara Safina of Russia during the second round match of women's singles at China Open 2009 in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 5, 2009. Zhang Shuai won 2-0
"I think I was cooler than Safina. She surely played below level and sometimes rushed a little bit," added Zhang. "As a lower ranked player, I did not have pressure to face her. I just wanted to learn from her and play my game.
"I have played against the top ranked stars before. Technically speaking, I am in a different league of course, but not that bad. It is competing experience that finally matters."
Zhang, who even didn't have her image added on the WTA official website, looked a little nervous at the start, committing double fault in her first serve game.
Safina, still looking for her first Grand Slam title to underline her credentials, broke Zhang at love in the sixth game to lead at 4-2, but the Chinese girl started to hit top gear and play solid game from the baseline, breaking back to level the match.
Zhang pushed hard and forced Safina into some uncharacteristic errors before the Russian dropped serve again to hand in a 7-5 first set loss.
Safina never felt comfortable in the second set while Zhang seemed to play a game much above her level.
After trading break, the match headed for a tiebreak where Zhang, capitalising on her opponent's unforced errors, stormed to a 4-0 lead.
The 23-year-old Russian managed to pull within 4-3 but the momentum was not at her side.