Shuai Zhang now shares a record with Naomi Osaka after reaching China Open quarter-finals

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Zhang Shuai has equalled a WTA record held by the likes of Naomi Osaka after reaching the China Open quarter-finals.

The 35-year-old is on a magical run in Beijing after entering the tournament on a 24-match losing streak.

Shuai has defeated seeded players such as US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro and Magdalena Fręch on the way to reaching the last eight.

The veteran is searching for her fourth WTA title and her third on home soil, and she is certainly not to be taken lightly.

What WTA record does Zhang Shuai now share with Naomi Osaka?

Zhang delighted her home crowd after defeating Fręch 6-4, 6-2 to reach the China Open quarter-finals.

She has yet to drop a set in the tournament and is preparing to play her first WTA Tour quarterfinal since the Tokyo Open in 2022.

By winning her last match, Zhang has become the fourth player to reach a quarterfinal at WTA 1000 level while ranked out the top 500.

She is fourth player to do this after Naomi Osaka reached the Doha Open quarter-final in February while ranked outside the top 500.

Kim Clijsters was the first player to do this at the Cincinnati Masters in 2009 and Sloane Stephens achieved the feat in 2017 while competing in Toronto.

What did Naomi Osaka say about Zhang Shuai at the China Open?

Zhang has been one of the biggest talking points in the tennis world this week due to her extraordinary China Open run.

She had the second-longest losing streak in WTA Tour history behind Madeleine Pegel, who lost 29 matches from 1968 to 1972.

Like Coco Gauff earlier this week, Osaka had some kind words for Zhang, who she sees as an important person in tour, especially during the early stages of her career.

“I feel like when I got on tour she adopted me, in a way,” the four-time Grand Slam winner told reporters. “She’s been incredibly nice to me the entire time I’ve been on tour. I have an extremely big soft spot for her.

“It’s hard for me not to be emotional when I see her doing well because I know her struggles and we’ve kind of struggled together, too. I love her a lot. I think she has such a warm heart.”