Zhang Shuai is on a dream run at the China Open, with a quarter-final clash against Paula Badosa up next.
Shuai shocked Emma Navarro in their China Open round of 64 encounter, beating the US Open semi-finalist 6-4, 6-2.
That stunning victory in Beijing came just after Shuai ended a 24-match losing streak, having gone 603 days without a singles win.
It has been a remarkable recovery for the player, who has undoubtedly been boosted by the China Open supporters at her home event.
She has also beaten Navarro’s compatriot McCartney Kessler in the Chinese capital, as well as Greet Minnen and Magdalena Frech.
Zhang Shuai explains Kylian Mbappe celebration at the China Open
During her superb adventure, the 35-year-old celebrated on court by striking the famous pose of football star Kylian Mbappe.
Speaking in her latest China Open press conference, Shuai has now explained the reasoning behind the celebration, saying: “A year and a half ago, two years ago, we were in France competing. At the time it was the World Cup. My coach is really interested in soccer.
“He’s a great fan of [Lionel] Messi. Every day he talks about Messi. I thought I was brainwashed by him. Messi every day, Messi’s goal every day. He asked me to cheer for Messi every day because he did not have that much time left, because it was the last World Cup for him. I said, Okay, I’ll cheer for Argentina, I’ll cheer for Messi.
“But deep inside me I really wanted to root for Mbappe. It was 0-2. Then I think it was 2-2. Then it was 3-3. I really like his power, his aggressiveness on the pitch. He is a hero fighting for his team, fighting for his country. He works hard until the end.
“Even though he lost, he looked really disappointed at the end of the match, I feel the same. I sympathise with him, especially after such a hard-fought match. I feel for him.
“But I’m also happy for Messi because eventually he realised his dream. I understand that Mbappe won a World Cup, so one each. And he still has opportunities for more. When he was down 0-2, he was able to save the whole team. I really admire this kind of hero. He is a hero in my mind.”
Can Zhang Shuai shock Paula Badosa in the China Open quarter-finals?
The huge support will continue for the home superstar at the China Open, with Badosa needing to calm them down early on.
She also goes into the match in superb form, having just stunned US Open finalist Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-0 in their round of 16 clash.
Shuai meanwhile, after an extremely difficult period, is now playing superb tennis, and will perhaps be thinking about going all the way in Beijing.
She has been impressing on an individual level lately, but is also aware of what it takes to play team events, much like her idol Mbappe.
Shuai admits to having also played the role of hero in her career, with the tennis star continuing: “In my life, in my professional career, many times I was playing such a role on my team. When I was in Tianjin team, when we were in the national games, the team tournaments, the Fed Cup, I was never so excited for a singles match as I was in the team competitions.
“There were so many eras. They were booing from the audience. After winning those matches, I said I was never so excited before. It’s hard to really describe it. When you are fighting for your country, for your team, the motivation is unimaginable. It’s like what we did in the Olympics.
“When you were competing in other tournaments, the level would not be so high. But when you are representing your country, you’re wearing that uniform, the level is unimaginable, even though I wasn’t able to do that in the Olympics, I wasn’t able to show my best, I wasn’t able to achieve what we expected.
“I treated the US Open, the China Open, as the Olympics. With such a sense of responsibility and honour, eventually we can see a miracle.”
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