WTA Guangzhou: Zhang Shuai Withdraws Due to Injury, Ann Li and Sun Lulu to Compete for the Title Tomorrow

On October 25th Beijing time, the WTA250 Guangzhou tournament concluded its women's singles semifinals. Chinese player Zhang Shuai requested a medical timeout when trailing 2-5 in the first set and ultimately retired. Her opponent, second seed Ann Li, advanced directly to the final. This marks Ann Li's third appearance in a WTA tour final this season (Singapore/Cleveland), although she fell short in the previous two attempts.

Zhang Shuai and Ann Li

Zhang Shuai faced consecutive three-set battles in both the second round and quarterfinals of this Guangzhou event, including a grueling 2-hour 53-minute match yesterday before securing victory. Despite this, Zhang played at a high level in the early games of today's match, frequently approaching the net with successful volleys, but was ultimately unable to finish the match. With 98 ranking points gained from this tournament, Zhang’s live ranking has risen to No. 105. She remains in the main draw for next week's WTA250 Hong Kong event and has also entered several year-end challengers, aiming to break into the top 100 world ranking and secure a spot in the main draw of the Australian Open next year.

After the match, Zhang Shuai praised and encouraged Ann Li at the net: “You’re amazing, good luck.” In post-match interviews, Ann Li also expressed her well wishes toward Zhang: “I hope Zhang Shuai’s injury isn’t serious. She’s a great person, and I see her a bit like an older sister. Wishing her a speedy recovery.”

Sun Lulu

New Zealand-born Chinese player Sun Lulu, who advanced through the qualifiers, continued her Cinderella run with an outstanding performance today, defeating fellow qualifier Liu Jingwen 6-0, 7-6(3) to reach the second WTA tour singles final of her career. Tomorrow, Sun will strive to claim her first career title at Guangzhou; last year at the WTA Monterrey event, she finished runner-up after losing to Noskova in the final.

After the match, Sun Lulu spoke in Chinese: “I really didn’t expect to reach the final because I hadn’t played so well earlier this year and lost many times, so I didn’t believe in myself. But when I came to China, I relaxed a lot here and just wanted to show everyone my best tennis. So thank you all!”

In doubles, Zeng Limi and Peter defeated Ella and N. Kichenok 6-7(4), 6-3, 10-5, and will face Liang Enshuo and Zhang Weichuan tomorrow for the championship. This match will start at 13:30 Beijing time. The women's singles final between Ann Li and Sun Lulu won’t begin before 16:00. In their head-to-head record, Sun Lulu leads 2-0.

(Written and edited by: Dato, photos provided by the tournament)