China Open: Badosa ends Shuai’s dream run to reach last four

Paula Badosa ends the dream run of home favourite Zhang Shuai to enter the last-four stage of the 2024 China Open.

The 26-year-old Spaniard and No. 15 seed in Beijing advanced to her third semifinal in her past five tournaments, and has now won 28 of her last 35 matches dating back to mid-May after coming from 3-1 down to triumph 6-1, 7-6(4) in 1 hour and 23 minutes against Chinese Shuai Zhang.

By defeating Shuai Zhang, Paula secured a place in Beijing semi-finals and a second WTA 1000 last four in a row. She was WTA No.93 on July first.

According to OptaAce, Paula Badosa is the second oldest player to reach the semi-finals of the China Open in their maiden appearance after Amelie Mauresmo in 2006.

After making a maiden semi final, Paula Badosa is now the second Spaniard to reach the semi-finals of the China Open since the inception of the tournament in 2004 after Garbine Muguruza in 2015.

Former World No.2 Badosa’s run this week marks her fifth semifinal at WTA 1000 level. In 2021, she won the biggest title of her career to date at Indian Wells; she also made the last four at Madrid 2021, Indian Wells 2022 and Cincinnati 2024. She will bid to make a second WTA 1000 final against either No.4 seed Coco Gauff or qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva on Saturday.