Chinese mainland tennis star Zhang Shuai and Belgian partner Elise Mertens secured their place in the Australian Open women's doubles final on Thursday, defeating Russia's Vera Zvonareva and Japan's Ena Shibahara 6-3, 6-2. The veteran pair demonstrated clinical precision at Melbourne Park, winning 80% of first-serve points and converting five of seven break opportunities.
Their Saturday opponents will be Russian-Serbian duo Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunic, who advanced earlier in the day. This marks Zhang's fifth Grand Slam doubles final appearance and her first at the Australian Open since her 2019 championship victory.
The 37-year-old Zhang, currently ranked World No. 5 in doubles, could claim her third major title after previous wins at the 2021 US Open and 2022 Wimbledon. A victory would make her the oldest women's doubles champion at the Australian Open in the Open Era.
Business analysts note the match's timing coincides with growing Asian investment in global sports partnerships, while cultural observers highlight the cross-continental collaboration between Asian and European athletes as a model for international sporting diplomacy.
