In an impressive display, Zhu Lin emerged victorious over Mirra Andreeva in the Ningbo tournament. The match concluded with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, marking Zhu’s first win against Andreeva in their second career encounter. This result comes after a challenging year for Zhu, who faced significant setbacks due to an elbow injury that sidelined her for six months. Although her comeback at the Australian Open was rocky, recent wins have renewed hopes for her resurgence.
Zhu’s Journey to the Quarterfinals
Having entered the Ningbo tournament ranked outside the top 200, Zhu Lin’s performance has seen her rise to No. 170 in the latest PIF WTA Live Rankings. Her victory against Andreeva followed a back-to-back win against Emma Raducanu earlier in the tournament.
Match Highlights
- Duration: 2 hours and 17 minutes
- Unforced Errors: Andreeva committed 67 unforced errors, 47 of which came in the final two sets.
- Career Wins Against Top 30 Players: This marks Zhu’s third career win over a top 10 ranked opponent.
- Ranking Progression: Zhu’s current ranking reflects a significant improvement from her earlier struggles.
Prior to her victory over Andreeva, Zhu had last reached a WTA quarterfinal during the 2024 Thailand Open, where she ultimately lost to Diana Shnaider. Their upcoming match will be closely watched, as Zhu aims to turn the tables after her previous loss.
Shnaider Advances to Face Zhu
Diana Shnaider secured her spot in the Ningbo quarterfinals with a win against Karolina Muchova, overcoming a set deficit to claim victory. The match ended with scores of 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, showcasing Shnaider’s dominant performance in the final set, where she boasted an 84% first serve percentage.
Upcoming Quarterfinal Matchup
The anticipated clash between Zhu Lin and Diana Shnaider will be their third meeting at the WTA level. Shnaider currently holds a 2-0 advantage in their previous encounters. A win for Shnaider would secure her place in the semifinals.
Other Tournament Highlights
- Ajla Tomljanovic staged a remarkable comeback against Zeynep Sonmez, advancing to her first WTA quarterfinal in several months.
- The tournament is demonstrating competitive matches, with several top players showcasing high-level tennis.
With Zhu Lin now advancing to face Shnaider, fans can expect a thrilling quarterfinal matchup filled with intensity and skill at the Ningbo tournament.
