Zhang Shuai (Image Credit - WTA - Twitter)
Second seed Zhang Shuai takes on Belgium’s Maryna Zanevska in the round of 16 of the Lyon Open on Thursday.
The Chinese veteran came into the Lyon Open after being ousted in the fourth round of the Australian Open by the 30th seed Karolina Pliskova.
In the round of 32 of the Lyon Open, Zhang Shuai faced another experienced player, Madison Brengle. The American player was blown away by Shuai in what was a one-sided affair. The match ended 6-3, 6-2 in favor of the 34-year-old Shuai in straight sets 6-3, 6-2. Shuai had an impressive win percentage of 77 on the second serve and won 28 out of 63 points while receiving.
The 29-year-old finished 2022 on a memorable note as she defeated Viktorija Golubic to win the WTA 125 event in Rouen, France. She defeated second seed Elise Mertens in the first round of the Hobart International but lost to Sofia Kenin in the second round.
After losing to 9th seed Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Australian Open, Zanevska has started strongly in the Lyon Open. In the round of 32, Zanevska took on Hungary’s Dalma Galfi. The first set was comprehensively won by Zanevska but in the second set, Galfi fought back hard. Zanevska did well to win the match in the tiebreak and not allow the match to drift into the third set.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 1-1. Maryna Zanevska won in their most recent meeting in Strasbourg last year in straight sets.
Prediction: Zhang Shuai to win in straight sets.
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