A torrid WTA record has just been broken at Indian Wells.
In a tournament that so often throws up the exciting and the unknown, one Chinese star has been dumped out of the competition with a torrid accolade to her name.
But what did Zhang Shuai do that was so bad it broke records? We take a closer look…
WTA losing record has been broken
Journalist Jose Morgado took to X to publicise the shattering of an unwanted record, in which Zhang’s latest loss tipped her over the edge.
He wrote: ‘Zhang Shuai now lost her last 18 matches, a new all-time record on the WTA tour…’.
That means that she has not won a WTA singles match since January 2023, where she brushed aside Madison Brengle in Lyon.
14 months of turmoil and torrid form, which is showing no signs of letting up.
Having reached a career-high of 22 in the WTA Rankings, and boasting three titles to her name, hers has not been a career to turn a nose up to.
However, this recent run is impossible to ignore, and at 35 years old, perhaps her singles days are coming to a close. Fortunately, she remains a keen doubles player and actually reached the semi-final of Wimbledon recently in the women’s doubles.
The top players enter Indian Wells
Having got a small chunk of the first-round fixtures out of the way now, the seeded players will soon enter the draw ready to break the hearts of the hopeful pretenders dreaming of a deep run.
However, not every player who has played a first-round match is some unknown qualifier.
There are some big hitters, and therefore there will be some tantalising clashes thrown up on both the men’s and women’s side.
Already Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray stands out as the most enthralling clash of the Round of 64, but Matteo Arnold is certain to pose a tricky test for the defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
It is much harder to preview the latest clashes on the women’s side due to many matches being postponed, but the prospect of Venus Williams facing any of the top current players is an enthralling one given her legendary status in the sport.
She was a wildcard for the competition.
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