Wildcard veteran Zhang Shuai stuns Navarro in 2nd round

BEIJING - China's wildcard player Zhang Shuai stunned US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro in round two, while Zhang Zhizhen, Shang Juncheng and Wang Xinyu were eliminated early at 2024 China Open here on Friday.

Zhang Shuai, ranked world No. 595, upset world No. 8 Navarro 6-4, 6-2 in just 75 minutes to advance to the last 32.

"I think many fans support me, but there are also many who believe that I can no longer play such good tennis. They think my age and physical condition are not up to par. I just want to show everyone that my daily efforts have not been in vain. Everyone with a dream should chase it and work hard to make it happen. Dreams have nothing to do with your age," said the 35-year-old.

Elsewhere, China's Wang Xinyu was defeated by Russian Veronika Kudermetova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 in the women's singles second round.

Olympic mixed doubles silver medalist Zhang Zhizhen of China lost to Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the men's singles first round.

Zhang Zhizhen, who lost to former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the final of the ATP 250 Hangzhou Tennis Open three days ago, fell just short of claiming his first ATP tour title.

In a Chinese derby, Buyunchaokete came back to defeat Shang Juncheng 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-4.

The victory marks Buyunchaokete's first ATP 500 win and his fifth overall victory on the tour.

Four-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised past fellow 21-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-4, 6-4 to reach the second round.

"Honestly it wasn't easy. He's a really powerful player. Big serve, big shots from the baseline. So I had to be really focused," said Alcaraz.

Third seed Daniil Medvedev of Russia defeated the 38-year-old veteran Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4 in the first round.