Zhang Shuai’s 2025 singles journey ends with a double defeat by her nemesis, fans say: sister might bring surprises in doubles

Is Zhang Shuai’s 2025 season completely over? Singles yes, but doubles still continue!

After a commanding singles debut with two 6-2 sets over the Italian Stefannini to reach round two, the excitement at Limoges peaked thanks to Zhang Shuai.

Because two years ago in Strasbourg, Chinese star Zhang Shuai was double-bageled by the German Fredesam, a loss regarded as her worst defeat of the 2023 season, with Fredesam labeled as her “nemesis.”

Hence, this second-round match against that nemesis at Limoges 125 had fans and netizens hoping Zhang would grasp this rare chance for revenge and wipe away the double-bagel humiliation from two years prior.

As predicted before the match, the battle against Fredesam proved to be a tough challenge for Zhang Shuai. From the start of the first set, the Chinese star faced serious trouble and quickly lost control to Fredesam.

Seeing Zhang lose the first set 3-6 and become the player under the most pressure, voices in the live chat split into two camps: some believed Zhang still had a chance to turn things around; others thought revenge was impossible.

While fans argued fiercely in the chat, Zhang Shuai regrouped and quickly restored faith by responding with a 6-3 win over Fredesam, leveling the match score.

With the first two sets tied, the heated debate in the live chat temporarily calmed. Many openly stated that with Zhang’s energetic performance in the second set, a comeback in the deciding set was quite possible.

However, unexpectedly, Zhang’s brilliant second set seemed like a last flash of hope. As the final set began, the Chinese star appeared almost cursed, playing completely differently and losing all resistance against the German, turning the deciding set into Fredesam’s solo showcase.

When Zhang fell behind 0-5, everyone stopped expecting a miraculous comeback and instead hoped she wouldn’t lose the match with another double-bagel.

When Fredesam decisively took the final set 6-1 to end the match, fans sighed in relief. Although the scene of Zhang being bageled was unpleasant, at least she avoided that fate, which would have been embarrassing given two straight losses by double-bagel to the same opponent.

After a tough three-set loss to Fredesam, Zhang Shuai missed out on the quarterfinals, marking the end of her 2025 singles campaign.

Another regret is that due to this early exit at Limoges, Zhang’s singles ranking failed to break further into the top 80, currently standing at 81.

Although Zhang’s singles run ended, her doubles campaign continues.

At Limoges 125, Zhang entered both singles and doubles. This hardworking approach is seen by many fans as wise, since she might still bring surprises in doubles to make up for the singles disappointment.

Zhang Shuai teamed with Buksha in doubles at this event, and their quarterfinal match against Remers and Moratelli was extremely tense at times.

Though not a high-level tournament, both pairs competed seriously with full commitment, making the match fiercely contested from the first set.

With the match tied at one set apiece, the deciding match tiebreak instantly became the most thrilling part of the contest.

Especially when the score reached 7-7, Zhang’s calm expression contrasted with some anxious fans in the chat who feared the pressure might break the Chinese star, wasting all previous efforts with her partner.

What made Zhang and her partner truly deserve praise was that just as worries arose, they responded with seamless teamwork and courageous play, winning three consecutive points to clinch the tiebreak 10-7 and advance to the doubles semifinals of this 125 event.

With singles over but doubles reaching the semifinals, some netizens commented that when one door closes another opens. Without singles distractions, Zhang’s focus and energy are sharper, making a doubles surprise likely. “If she ends 2025 with a doubles title, it would be a beautiful finish. Looking forward to good news from Sister Shuai.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)