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Zhang ended a 24-match losing run, which began after the Lyon Open in 2023, by beating American McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-1) in her Beijing opener.

That long-awaited victory teed up a clash with world No.8 Navarro, whom Zhang beat 6-4 6-2 in a major upset in front of a jubilant crowd in the Chinese capital.

Zhang, who is the lowest-ranked player to ever compete in the main draw at the WTA 1000 event, got to the net on her second match point to smash a forehand winner past Navarro, teeing up a meeting with Belgium's Greet Minnen.

Ranked a lowly No.595 in the world, Zhang has become the lowest-ranked player to defeat a top-10 player at the China Open since the tournament's 2004 inception.

She had also won her most recent meeting with a top-10 player, beating Caroline Garcia in Tokyo in 2022.