Zhang Shuai suffers four consecutive defeats! World ranking fails to improve further.

The most anticipated event on the tour this week is undoubtedly the WTA500 Charleston competition. This tournament not only includes top-seeded players such as Pegula, Alexandrova, and Bencici, but also Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who joins lucky loser Yuan Yue in the women's singles main draw.

Among them, Zhang Shuai entered the main draw directly based on her world ranking. Her first-round opponent was Ukrainian player Starodubtseva. Ultimately, Zhang Shuai was swept by her opponent with a score of 3-6, 0-6, failing to advance to the next round. Currently, Zhang Shuai's world ranking has temporarily dropped to No. 62.

Fans familiar with Zhang Shuai know that clay courts have never been her strongest surface. Regardless of the opponent or their world ranking, Zhang Shuai tends to struggle relatively more on clay. Of course, the clay season has just begun, and Zhang Shuai still has opportunities to adjust and regain her form through upcoming tournaments.

Zhang Shuai showed impressive form and touch at the end of last season, but since entering the 2026 season, this veteran has been lacking in singles matches. First, she lost in a three-set battle to local rising star Preston in the first round of the Australian Open. Then, moving to Indian Wells and Miami, she lost in the first round to Yastremska and Kostyuk respectively. Adding this week's first-round exit in Charleston, Zhang Shuai has suffered a wave of four consecutive defeats in tour singles.

Of course, Zhang Shuai still secured a victory in the women's doubles first round of this tournament with her partner. She teamed up temporarily with Krunic and, as the top seed in women's doubles, defeated Sugadi/Zeng Limei 7-6, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinals. Next, they will face Krawczyk and McNally.

Although Zhang Shuai stopped in the first round of women's singles, another Chinese player, Yuan Yue, who competed in the women's singles first round, managed to win after a grueling match. Playing as a lucky loser from qualifying, she battled for three and a half hours to narrowly defeat Sherif 2-6, 7-6, 7-6. Next, she will face Cocaretto.

After successfully advancing to the Charleston women's singles 32, Yuan Yue's live ranking has rebounded to No. 112, while her opponent Sherif suffered a prolonged wave of nine consecutive defeats in tour singles.

Besides Yuan Yue and Zhang Shuai, other Chinese players appearing in tour singles this week include Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing, both competing in Houston. Zhang Zhizhen defeated Pinnington 6-1, 6-3 in the first round, successfully securing his opening victory in the clay season. Next, he will challenge tournament top seed Shelton.

Wu Yibing lost to qualifier Bolt 6-7, 2-6. Next, he will participate in a CH75 event in the United States, hoping for more Chinese players to achieve victories on the tour stage!（Source: Tennis Home Author: Barbie）