Chinese tennis stars made a strong start in the 2026 Australian Open women's doubles competition on Wednesday, with Zhang Shuai and partner Elise Mertens of Belgium securing a decisive 6-4, 6-2 victory over Sorana Cirstea and Anna Kalinskaya. The match saw the Chinese-Belgian pair demonstrate remarkable coordination, recovering from early challenges to dominate proceedings at Melbourne Park.
In a parallel triumph, Chinese players Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan delivered an equally impressive performance, defeating their international opponents 6-4, 6-2. The victories highlight China's growing influence in global tennis, coming just three years after the country's historic first Grand Slam doubles title in 2023.
Zhang and Mertens' strategic net play proved crucial, particularly during their second-set comeback after initially trailing 0-2. The pair's ability to adapt mid-match has drawn attention from sports analysts, with many predicting a deep tournament run for both Chinese-led teams.
These wins hold particular significance for China's sports development agenda, coming during the winter training period ahead of major international competitions later this year. The performances are being celebrated as evidence of successful cross-border athletic partnerships in professional tennis.
