Zhang Shuai Overcomes Injured Madison Keys To Advance To Quarterfinals

Chinese tennis ace Zhang Shuai was able to put behind the odds of being eliminated in the first round last week. She did this in defeating American player Madison Keys last night in the Australian Open to advance to the quarterfinals.

Zhang defeated Keys with the scorecard of 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday night in Melbourne to overcome a dismal first round performance and possible retirement. Zhang is ranked No. 133 in the world while Keys is currently No. 18. The first set was solely Keys striking down on Zhang and taking the set. An injury was found in Keys’ upper left thigh and had to be wrapped during a medical timeout. During the course of the match, Keys’ leg was becoming more painful because of landing on that specific leg after serving the ball. At the start of the third set, it seemed Keys had her injury under control but the pain would not suffice and had Keys hitting the shots into the ground and tears rolling down her face. “So difficult to concentrate when I saw her [in pain], it’s so tough to continue to play,” Zhang said after the match.

Zhang has lost in the first round of the 14 Grand Slam tournaments she has participated in since 2008 and retirement was clearly in her path. She will put that on hold when she plays for a semi-final spot against Britain’s Johanna Konta. After finally winning a match, Zhang said, “this time I’m feeling like maybe God will bless me. Like I’m feeling one time, give me many wins.”

Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Shuai Zhang of China plays a forehand in her forth round match against Madison Keys of the United Statesduring day eight of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)