China's Zhang Shuai and Russian tennis partner Ekaterina Alexandrova secured a decisive victory in their Wimbledon women's doubles opener, defeating Ukraine's Nadiia Kichenok and Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 6-2. The seasoned duo, who have collaborated multiple times over their careers, showcased tactical precision by converting five break points to advance to the last 32.
Zhang, 36, praised Alexandrova's adaptability, noting her partner's strong singles background contributed to their cohesive performance. "She has the skills to withstand challenges across different formats," Zhang said. "Our teamwork clicked today, and I hope we maintain this momentum."
While Zhang progresses, fellow Chinese players Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai exited the tournament early, though details of their match remain undisclosed. The mixed outcomes highlight the competitive intensity at Wimbledon as Asian athletes continue making strides in global tennis.
Reference(s):
Zhang & Alexandrova advance to last 32, Wang & Zheng eliminated
cgtn.com